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.

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A 24-kilometre regional railway line in northern Czech Republic is now home to Edita, Europe's first autonomous passenger train operating on open tracks. Developed by Czech firm AZD Praha, the train is equipped with artificial intelligence, cameras, and laser scanners to detect obstacles and ensure passenger safety. Unlike previous autonomous trains, which operated only on closed tracks such as metros, Edita navigates real landscapes and responds to unexpected obstacles like animals and weather changes.

The project has received significant investment from both AZD Praha and the European Union. While legislation currently requires staff to be present on board, the technology is seen as a promising solution to driver shortages and could enhance railway safety. The train operates on the first weekend of each month and is viewed as a potential model for future rail transport across Europe.

Czech Republic tests AI-equipped driverless passenger train

This train does not need a driver, no one sits at the controls, yet it knows when to stop and how to keep passengers safe. In the north of the Czech Republic, a 24-kilometre regional line is now home to Edita, Europe's first autonomous passenger train operating on open tracks. Developed by Czech technology firm AZD Praha, the train is equipped with cameras, laser scanners and AI. Student Jakub Kruska is one of many passengers excited to experience a driverless train running through picturesque landscapes in Kopydlno. It's the first autonomous train that's on like a track that's not controlled. So yes, there were previously like autonomous metros and train systems, but they are all closed off. This is the first instance of a train that's actually out in the open, so to say. The underlying technology is ETCS, the European train control system that's slowly being rolled out across Europe and ensures like normal, safe operation of trains. For legislative reasons, there has to be like train staff and at the end, you have to run around this wagon and disconnect. So there's still the need for people right now, but in a few years, I think for some like shorter branch lines, this could be the perfect solution. Edita is not like a metro where the environment is controlled. The train moves through real landscapes, adjusting to weather, animals and unexpected obstacles. Michael Nowak, lead researcher at AZD Praha, says the train's core features include two front-mounted cameras and multiple sensors for obstacle detection. During testing, the train slowed for a hare and stopped for a herd of sheep. A large display inside the train's passenger car shows a live feed from the front camera, along with real-time data from the lidar and other onboard systems. We don't have enough, enough drivers and the autonomous railway can help to solve this issue and also we believe that it also can add some more security to railway operation because sometimes the machines are able to operate quickly and smoothly than human. So currently there is no legislation dealing with autonomous driving in open space. There are some rules which enable to provide autonomous driving on special tracks like metro or special track, it means it's closed, so there is no possibility that human or any animal will go to the tracks. So on this there is legislation which allows this, but for open space it is not possible. AZD Praha has invested more than 8.2 million euros in this project. The European Union gave an additional 4.9 million euros. The autonomous passenger train operates on the first weekend of every month. I think that this train is a very important initiative to show not just the local people, but also the governments that technologies like this can definitely be used, that they are safe and I completely trust the technology behind this, including the ETCS technology, the European Train Control System, which is very safe. I feel a certain sense of pride since it's AZD, it's a Czech company that has a long tradition and that it's actually being developed with the cooperation of our technical universities and it's like a homegrown project. Passengers like Jakub say they hope similar trains could be deployed along the Czech Republic's main railway corridors. These driverless trains have the potential to revolutionize the passenger experience across Europe.

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Czech Republic tests AI-equipped driverless passenger train

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