Bombardier opens new high-tech laboratory in Germany for railway technology
Bombardier Transportation opened a new high-tech laboratory in Mannheim, Germany Thursday. Bombardier has invested around 1 million Euro in the new laboratory. The laboratory will develop and test pioneering electronics systems for train control and signalling and control systems.
At the Mannheim facility, the ‘brains’ of trains will be programmed and work will be done on the digital network for communication between the train and track section for greater safety in rail transport. Both are key elements in the digitisation strategy of the federal government and the rail industry, according to Bombardier.
Battery-powered train
During the inauguration, the Canadian company uncovered information about its new battery-powered train. The battery components for the Talent 3-type train were manufactured from Mannheim. According to Bombardier, it is the first battery-powered train to be newly developed in Europe for more than 60 years. It will go into operation in 2019. The testing phase will start in September 2018.
Around 40 employees have their workplace in the IT laboratory, which boasts around 1,140 square metres of floor space. The Baden-Württemberg Transport Minister Winfried Hermann and the Thuringian Environment Minister Anja Siegesmund were present at the opening. The guests also included the Mayor of Mannheim Lothar Quast.
Digitisation
“The laboratory for vehicle control and signalling technology that we are officially inaugurating here today in Mannheim offers all possibilities to make the rail transport of the future safer and more efficient,” Hermann said. “In Germany, we are at the precipice of a dramatic technological revolution – including in railways. Digitisation of railways will allow us to respond adequately to the automation of road transport and to secure competitiveness within Europe.” Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation Germany Michael Fohrer said: “With the high-tech laboratory, we are vigorously driving digitalisation forward.”
