DB and Siemens Mobility sign agreement for the Ideas Train at InnoTrans

Deutsche Bahn and Siemens Mobility have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the DB Regio Ideas Train. Dr Sabina Jeschke, Member of the Management Board of DB for Digitalisation and Technology, Dr Jörg Sandvoß, Chairman of the Management Board of DB Regio AG, and Sabrina Soussan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Siemens Mobility signed the agreement at InnoTrans 2018 in Berlin.

Signing of the agreement
Copyright: Deutsche Bahn AG/JET-FOTO KRANERT

Visitors to InnoTrans can experience the future of regional travel by visiting the life-size model of a double-decker coach on display which is divided into different zones with different digital technologies. Zones on the Ideas Train range from sports and premium work compartments to public viewing areas and relaxation compartments, and passengers can take in the latest news on different screens.

The agreement makes the Ideas Train available as a platform for partners in the vehicle industry to test components and prototypes – and Siemens Mobility is the first system manufacturer to sign up.

Sabina Jeschke said: “With the Ideas Train we are making a substantial contribution in the research and development of vehicles for the passenger transport of the future. We are delighted to have Siemens as a strong partner who can accompany us in driving and implementing new technology and innovations.”

According to Sabrina Soussan: “Ongoing digitalisation has meant that customers’ needs are undergoing a dramatic change, and they are changing at an increasingly rapid pace. The Ideas Train gives us the chance to work with DB to develop and test technologies for a better, integrated passenger experience. We will also be using MindSphere, the cloud-based open internetof-things operating system, from Siemens.”

“We want to work with our partners to develop new strategies for equipping regional trains,” said Jörg Sandvoß. “The Ideas Train should show local transport authorities what is possible and convince them to think about innovations like these early on, during the tender stage.”

Siemens have already installed the first prototypes in the Ideas Train. One being an active noise cancelling system in the power napping module which reduces noise from wind, the air-handling system and bogies, so that passengers arrive at their destination feeling well rested. The Israeli company Silentium is providing support to Siemens for this system.

There is also the ‘smart seat’ which was built in collaboration with the Polish company TAPS. The seat offers a number of digital services for passengers, such as allowing to buy tickets and check in on an integrated touchscreen. They can also order food and drinks from the on-board restaurant, listen to music and watch films. Passengers can customise the seat position and save the settings in the cloud using Siemens MindSphere. If they transfer trains and log in again, their seat moves to the saved position and their film picks-up where it left off. Current information on the connection is also displayed. These innovations provide seamless, personalised travel.

Furthermore, Siemens has made the existing closed circuit television system (CCTV) smarter (iCCTV). The availability of seats, wheelchair spaces and pushchair spaces can be monitored and displayed to passengers and train attendants on the train, and can be integrated into apps such as DB Navigator.