[InnoTrans 2026] Global Rail Industry Comes Together... This Year’s Main Themes: AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Driving

3,170 Companies from 59 Countries: Largest Event Ever
AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Driving Take Center Stage
113 Vehicles Displayed: Competition in Eco-Friendly and Digital Technologies

The world’s leading rail and transit technologies came together at “InnoTrans 2026,” held in Berlin, Germany, from the 22nd to the 25th (local time). With 3,170 companies from 59 countries filling the 200,000-square-meter venue, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and autonomous driving technologies emerged as the key themes throughout this year’s event. Competition was also fierce to enhance railway efficiency and sustainability by integrating eco-friendly power sources such as hydrogen and batteries with digital technologies.

On the 22nd (local time), railway vehicles from various countries were displayed at the InnoTrans 2026 outdoor exhibition in Berlin, Germany. On the right is Hyundai Rotem's distributed power high-speed train EMU-320. Photo by Seomideum

Celebrating its 15th edition this year, InnoTrans was first launched in 1996, marking its 30th anniversary in 2026. In five categories—rail vehicle technology, rail infrastructure, public transportation, vehicle interiors, and tunnel construction—rail and transit companies from around the globe unveiled their latest innovations. The number of participating companies increased by about 200 compared to 2024, reaching an all-time high.

The industry showed keen interest even before the event opened. The entire 200,000-square-meter exhibition space—including 42 exhibition halls, outdoor and railway track displays, and a dedicated bus exhibition area—was fully booked more than six months before the opening. The number of technologies and products unveiled for the first time globally reached 180. According to the organizers' analysis of the technologies released this year, AI, robotics, and automation have cemented their position as core trends in the international rail industry.

The scope of AI applications has expanded far beyond simple data analysis to encompass train operations, rolling stock and facility inspections, maintenance, energy savings, and passenger services. In the “AI Mobility Lab” (Hall 7.1a), 47 companies showcased technologies in AI, automation, cybersecurity, data protection, and robotics. Among these, 28 companies participated in InnoTrans for the first time.

Australia’s Downer presented a technology that combines drones, LiDAR, and laser/optical sensors with AI and machine learning to detect anomalies in railway vehicles and infrastructure. Germany’s Knorr-Bremse unveiled a driver-assist system that uses real-time data from trains ahead to reduce unnecessary stops and energy consumption. According to internal tests by the company, it achieved average energy savings of over 10 percent.

On the 22nd (local time), the Hitachi Rail exhibition hall at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, Germany, was bustling with visitors. Hitachi Rail showcased digital railway and vehicle management technologies. Photo by Seomideum

Robotics also became deeply integrated into the railway sector. System7 Rail Holding announced the world's first fully digitalized tamping robot, which automates the process of compacting track ballast. Onboard trains, “Panarooma”—a futuristic train restaurant—merged autonomous service robots with AI-based personalized services.

This year, the event also introduced the “Robotics Tours,” which provided a focused exploration of robotic technologies. These approximately 90-minute programs guided visitors through about 10 exhibition booths, showcasing robots applied in various mobility settings. Tours of AI-related exhibitors were also conducted twice daily throughout the event.

Korean companies also joined the tech competition. Firms specializing in rolling stock, operations, and components—including Hyundai Rotem, SR, Neotrans, Woojin, Romansys, and Solid—set up booths throughout the venue. Hyundai Rotem exhibited its distributed power high-speed train EMU-320 in both indoor and outdoor track areas, demonstrating its maximum operating speed of 320 km/h.

Ambassador Ko Kyung-seok to Germany (left) and Lee Yong-bae, President of Hyundai Rotem, are taking a commemorative photo at the Hyundai Rotem booth during the 'InnoTrans 2026' event held in Berlin, Germany, on the 22nd (local time). Hyundai Rotem.

Ko Kyung-seok, the South Korean ambassador to Germany, visited the Hyundai Rotem booth on the 22nd to view the EMU-320 railcar and next-generation high-speed trains on display. Ambassador Ko commented, “I feel great pride seeing our companies showcase their technological prowess on a stage where top global firms compete,” and pledged unwavering support from the embassy to help Korean companies win overseas railway contracts.

Autonomous driving was also a major topic. In the public transportation category, 414 companies participated in an exhibition area covering about 20,000 square meters. Emerging public transit technologies were introduced, ranging from digital ticketing and intelligent transport planning to autonomous buses and trains. Belgium’s OTIV showcased AI-based autonomous rail vehicles and automated train operation technology, while RailEvo presented an on-demand autonomous rail taxi concept.

CRRC from China integrated eco-friendly power sources with intelligent technology, introducing a 2,000 kW class hydrogen fuel cell hybrid locomotive equipped with a deep-learning-based intelligent operation platform. The technology enables 360-degree perception around the vehicle and synthesizes data from multiple sensors. This illustrates how AI is entering not only eco-friendly powertrains but also actual train operation processes.

On the 22nd (local time), visitors are viewing the outdoor track exhibition area at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, Germany. In the background, railway vehicles from various countries, including Siemens Mobility's locomotive "Vectron X," are on display. Photo by Seomideum

Physical rolling stock from leading railway manufacturers around the world filled the outdoor exhibition space. A total of 113 vehicles from 17 countries were displayed along the exhibition’s 3,500-meter track. Within a roughly 20,000-square-meter area, 130 companies exhibited high-speed trains, electric trains, locomotives, and freight vehicles. Alternative power sources such as hydrogen and batteries, as well as new overnight trains, emerged as prominent trends.

Switzerland’s Stadler showcased the KISS, a double-decker electric train with a top speed of 200 km/h. Germany’s Siemens Mobility presented the “Mireo” electric train for Austrian Federal Railways and the “Vectron X” locomotive for both passenger and freight use. France’s Alstom introduced the Coradia Stream platform, which can be expanded with various eco-friendly power sources, including batteries and hydrogen.

From Korea, Hyundai Rotem’s EMU-320 was featured on the outdoor tracks. The eight-car trainset has a capacity of 501 seats and a maximum operating speed of 320 km/h. Organizers also highlighted the high-speed train transported from Korea as one of the main vehicles in this year’s outdoor display. Exhibition vehicles from Korea and China were shipped to Europe via sea and, in some cases, transported to Berlin using inland waterways.

On the 22nd (local time), visitors were seen surrounding the Hyundai Rotem EMU-320 passenger car displayed at Innotrans 2026 in Berlin, Germany. The EMU-320 is a distributed power high-speed train with a maximum operating speed of 320 km/h. Photo by Seom Deumeul

The competition for electrification and autonomous technologies extended beyond the railway to public transportation as well. In the outdoor “Sommergarten” area, a bus exhibition and a 500-meter-long demonstration track offered hands-on displays of future-oriented urban transportation technologies, including electric buses.

Visitors also focused on emerging technologies. Alessandro Ascanio, a sales manager from the railway industry in Italy, commented, “The research into new systems, applications, and energy sources was impressive,” and said, “I confirmed that a wide range of studies are underway in railway systems as well.”

Bozo Juric and Dominik Husarek, railway infrastructure industry professionals from Croatia, paid close attention to innovations in rail infrastructure. “Many new solutions were introduced,” they said, adding that they are looking for new technologies that can be applied to catenary design and other areas.

As AI spreads throughout the rail industry—including inspection, maintenance, and operations—the challenges of ensuring safety and reliability are also becoming a major topic of discussion. Tristan Dauck, a railway consulting professional from Germany, said, “I felt the expanding trend of AI utilization while touring the AI exhibition areas, and I believe AI could be highly useful for certain transportation applications.” However, he also noted, “For critical areas such as rail signaling and train control, where safety is paramount, the potential for AI errors must be carefully considered.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.