Alstom, DB tap 5G for remote train driving

Alstom and Deutsche Bahn have used a private 5G network to let a driver control a commuter train remotely in a Munich depot, aiming to change how shunting is done in rail yards. Alstom says this is the first time one of its customers has carried out remote driving in a real-world setting in Germany.

The trial links cameras and sensors on the train to an operator’s desk in a control centre, giving enough visibility to manage low-speed shunting movements without being in the cab. The setup combines existing train controls with a standardised remote interface. The companies say the approach could cut the time drivers spend walking between vehicles in depots and lay the groundwork for future prototypes and wider use of remote shunting.