Deutsche Bahn and Alstom have successfully conducted Germany's first customer-operated remote driving trial at the Munich S-Bahn depot. The trial, completed on January 29, 2026, demonstrated the technical feasibility of controlling train shunting operations from a remote command center via a 5G network, aiming to enhance the speed and efficiency of depot operations.

During the demonstration, an operator controlled an S-Bahn commuter train from a remote operations center. The system employs a "human-in-the-loop" design, replicating driver cab functions at the remote workstation. Alstom's architecture connects traditional train control and management systems to modern standard interfaces, transmitting commands and status information in real-time via a dedicated 5G campus network. Onboard cameras and sensors provided the operator with the situational awareness required for shunting, while a universal driving interface ensures the solution can be adapted to various train types, not limited to the model used in the trial.

This trial supports Alstom's efforts to tap into the market for digital retrofitting of existing rolling stock. The technology can be rapidly deployed on legacy fleets, helping Alstom strengthen its competitive position in the field of railway digitalization. For operators like Deutsche Bahn, the technology can directly optimize depot logistics, reduce staff workload, and accelerate train preparation and parking processes.

The successful trial provides proof of concept for the broader deployment of remote-controlled shunting technology within Germany's S-Bahn network. This marks a step towards higher levels of automation in railway operations, aligning with the trend of remote control in industrial sectors such as offshore energy and logistics. In the future, this technology could become a standard requirement for fleet procurement or a key element in mid-term modernization upgrades.