Equipping an Electric Multiple Unit with a Sensor-Based Obstacle Detection System for the AutomatedTrain Research Project
Challenges of Vehicle Conversion and the Integration of Technologies for Driverless Depot Movements under ATO GoA4
How can trains be moved to and from depot facilities more efficiently in the future without compromising safety or reliability? This question is at the heart of the AutomatedTrain research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The project's objective is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of fully automated depot movements and thereby make a significant contribution to the digitalisation of rail transport. In the latest issue of Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau (ETR), experts from Deutsche Bahn describe the conversion of a Class 430 Stuttgart S-Bahn electric multiple unit into a demonstrator vehicle for fully automated train operation technologies.
The article focuses on the retrofit of a Stuttgart S-Bahn vehicle with a sensor-based obstacle detection system designed for future driverless operation. To achieve this, a range of sensors – including radar, Lidar and camera systems – were integrated into the existing vehicle architecture. Together with a dedicated data acquisition and storage system, these sensors provide the technical basis for testing automated functions. Particular emphasis was placed on integrating the new components into an existing ETCS-equipped vehicle without affecting the operation or integrity of its safety-critical systems.
The article illustrates that the transition towards automated railway operations involves far more than simply installing new technology. It describes the development of the vehicle architecture, the engineering challenges associated with integrating the sensor suite, and the comprehensive verification, validation and safety assurance processes required for approval and operation.
The findings provide valuable knowledge for future applications of automated train operation in commercial service and establish an important foundation for the development of production-ready solutions for the railway sector. The demonstrator vehicle described in the article was transferred from Berlin to Plochingen, near Stuttgart, in February. Software integration tests and data acquisition runs subsequently commenced on the route between Esslingen and Kirchheim.
All operations on the public railway network are conducted as engineering test runs under normal operating conditions and are driven conventionally by a qualified train driver, as the vehicle is not authorised for driverless operation on the national rail network. Since the vehicle conversion did not affect the vehicle's existing authorisation for service, the obstacle detection system can operate passively in the background during these test runs.
In June 2026, the obstacle detection-equipped vehicle was presented to invited guests during a series of demonstration runs in Esslingen using the Class 430 platform. In September, the converted Class 430 S-Bahn train will be exhibited in the outdoor display area at InnoTrans, where the project's final results will also be presented.
At the same time, the project's second demonstrator vehicle – a Siemens Mobility Mireo train, likewise equipped with technologies for fully automated train operation –will be showcased at the Havelländische Eisenbahn test field.
