Czech Republic tests Europe's first AI-equipped driverless passenger train

DW (English)

Czechia has launched Europe's first passenger-carrying driverless train operating on an open railway line in a pilot project. Among a host of features, it uses AI to control traction and braking and detect obstacles.

Transcript

00:01This train does not need a driver.

00:03No one sits at the controls, yet it knows when to stop and how to keep passengers safe.

00:09In the north of the Czech Republic, a 24-kilometre regional line is now home to Edita,

00:15Europe's first autonomous passenger train operating on open tracks.

00:20Developed by Czech technology firm AZD Praha, the train is equipped with cameras, laser scanners and AI.

00:27Student Jakub Kruška is one of many passengers excited to experience a driverless train

00:33running through picturesque landscapes in Kopidlno.

00:36It's the first autonomous train that's on a track that's not controlled.

00:42So, yes, there were previously autonomous metros and train systems, but they are all closed off.

00:48This is the first instance of a train that's actually out in the open, so to say.

00:54It's the underlying technology is ETCS, the European Train Control System.

00:59It's slowly being rolled out across Europe and ensures like normal safe operation of trains.

01:06For legislative reasons, there has to be like train staff.

01:10And at the end, you have to run around this wagon and disconnect.

01:15So there's still the need for people right now.

01:18But in a few years, I think for some like shorter branch lines, this could be the perfect solution.

01:25Edita is not like a metro where the environment is controlled.

01:28The train moves through real landscapes, adjusting to weather, animals and unexpected obstacles.

01:34Michal Novak, lead researcher at AZD Praha, says the train's core features include two front-mounted cameras

01:42and multiple sensors for obstacle detection.

01:45During testing, the train slowed for a hare and stopped for a herd of sheep.

01:50A large display inside the train's passenger car shows a live feed from the front camera,

01:55along with real-time data from the LiDAR and other onboard systems.

02:00We don't have enough drivers.

02:03And the autonomous railway can help to solve this issue.

02:10And also we believe that it also can add some more security to real-way operation.

02:18Because sometimes the machines are able to operate quickly and smoothly than human.

02:26So currently there is no legislation dealing with autonomous driving in open space.

02:32There are some rules which enable to provide autonomous driving on special tracks like metro.

02:41Or special tracks means it's closed.

02:44So there is no possibility that human or animal will go to the tracks.

02:50So on this, there is legislation which allows this.

02:55But for open space it is not possible.

02:57AZD Praha has invested more than 8.2 million euros in this project.

03:02The European Union gave an additional 4.9 million euros.

03:07The autonomous passenger train operates on the first weekend of every month.

03:12I think that this train is a very important initiative to show not just the local people,

03:20but also the governments that technologies like this can definitely be used,

03:26that they are safe.

03:28And I completely trust the technology behind this, including the ETCS technology,

03:35the European train control system, which is very safe.

03:41I feel a certain sense of pride since it's AZAD, it's a Czech company that has a long tradition

03:46and that it's actually being developed with collaboration of our technical universities

03:52and it's like a home-grown project.

03:55Passengers like Jakub say they hope similar trains could be deployed along the Czech Republic's main railway corridors.

04:02These driverless trains have the potential to revolutionize the passenger experience across Europe.

04:08All right that's so close to the mic.

04:09And now, we'll wait for you to stop feeding the pod.

04:10It's gonna change the music.

04:11Let's take a look at the world due to the actual manner of our close friends.

04:12The next step is to take a look at the pace of our people's communities.

04:13The next step is to take a look at the destination of the TSEC technology

04:14and the TSEC technology.

04:15And to take a look at the top of our community,

04:17the next step is to take a look at the global street.

04:18And to take a look at the country that things that have градусов across Europe.

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