In the first phase of the project the retrofitting will be carried out on an existing Class 296 diesel shunter, but the autonomous technology is also expected to be implemented on a modern hybrid locomotive.
Many of DB Cargo’s shunters are already fitted with radio remote control, which allows them to be driven remotely using a beltpack.
The company has also trialed ‘semi-automatic’ shunting to Grade of Automation (GoA) Level 2, in order to improve the competitiveness and efficiency of its wagonload freight operations at its München-Nord marshalling yard.
Under the terms of the latest contract, Railergy will develop a GoA4 package that can be retrofitted to various types of locomotive, allowing full automation of the hump shunting process.
The types of operations they hope to automate include simple activities such as pushing wagon cuts up to the yard hump, clearing the reception tracks, retrieving false runners and shunting beyond the hump.
Although the initial project will focus on marshalling operations, the system is being developed with a view to tackling more difficult shunting tasks in the future, such as those in freight terminals and ports.
DB Cargo are hoping to have Railergy’s driverless technologies fully operational on its locomotives – including its hybrid locomotives – by the end of 2024.
Railergy, which is based in the Bavarian city of Augsburg, has experience in the development and installation of onboard systems for both vehicle positioning and remote control and previously developed a 5G-based remote control system in collaboration with Thales Germany.
The company will work on the project with a range of other suppliers, including Bachleitner Technology which will provide the safe computer platform and cameras, Ouster, which will supply 3D lidar sensors, and ParkVi the image processing functions.