Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
For the first time, Thales' rolling laboratory train Lucy has travelled to InnoTrans to demonstrate the company's pioneering autonomous technologies. The trip began on September 2nd in Neustadt before making its way to InnoTrans in Berlin. A challenge called #SpotLucy, was launched where people could take a picture of the Lucy train and share it on social media.
Built in 1994, Lucy is Thales' rolling laboratory for testing on-board railway systems. Lucy is also equipped with a multitude of autonomous technologies.
Thanks to its Train Control Management System (TCMS), Driver Assistant System, remote video control with GSM-R / 4G / 5G cellular equipment and position and location sensors, Lucy can determine its precise location and speed by itself. Furthermore, in the future, these technologies will enable it to detect, recognise and respond to objects in front of the train.
Autonomy delivers both energy savings and performance enhancements leading to improved punctuality.Rail travel consumes 12 times less energy and emits up to 11 times less CO per passenger / kilometre compared to cars and trucks. (IEA tracking report. Rail. November 2021)
Autonomous technology gives trains new super powers. Imagine if your train could see and think for itself. It sounds like science fiction, but thanks to Thales, trains with autonomous capabilities are already becoming a reality. RailBot , the Thales autonomous solution, enables a train to interpret its surroundings, make decisions and drive itself according to its mission, without any need for human intervention. We are not there yet, but several of the building blocks for autonomous operation are already being deployed or nearing maturity.
On-board Passenger Density Information and Video Security
Passenger information and video surveillance on trains provide enhanced comfort for travellers. Thales' solution leverages existing CCTV networks at stations and on-board trains to provide real-time information on passenger density. Thales' Video Analytics solution is based on a unique hardware embedded platform supporting advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. The solution monitors passenger density in order to balance efficiently the flow of passengers along train carriages. Thanks to real-time passenger information displays, travellers are oriented towards the less crowded carriages. Additionally, the Thales solution helps remote operators to manage crowds by adapting train scheduling through the Thales digital integrated platform. The system supervises the Wayside & Onboard subsystems remotely in real time from an Operation Control Centre (OCC), controlling passenger density, saving energy and improving customer satisfaction. The use of 5G, the new generation of radio communications, enables the implementation of optimised telecommunications infrastructures, tailored to railway operators' needs. 5G significantly boosts the performance and reliability of communications, with greater speed transmissions (up to 100x faster than 4G), very low latency and a greater capacity to connect multiple intelligent devices onto one network. 5G also enables innovative core elements of railways, including autonomous systems and smart maintenance.
RailBot APS - Advanced Positioning System
The innovative Advanced Positioning System is being tested as a new technology to ensure precise position detection of a vehicle, and includes sensors, such as IMU, GNSS, radars, etc. To heighten precision quality, so called ground truth techniques were added such as continuous GNSS-real time kinematic tracing or Eurobalise points. The test drives are being carried out with Thales' own test vehicle Lucy, which offers ideal conditions as a test platform (installation of sensors etc.). In August 2021, the test route was fully topologically mapped, with infrastructure being measured with centimeter precision using a system consisting of LIDAR, GPS and cameras. A digital map (HD map) is created from this data, which serves as reference for testing the APS sensors as well as other future systems.
RailBot Eye - Obstacle detection
Obstacle detection is the ability to detect, classify and respond to objects in front of (and around) the train using sensors and sophisticated computer algorithms. Obstacle detection is a core feature in a fully autonomous and driverless system. This Thales solution provides trains with a new visual sense using Artificial Intelligence to navigate autonomously in an open-world environment . It will be used in normal traffic, as the train will be able to distinguish between relevant types of obstacles and determine the level of risk in order to take the right decision.
Autonomy is still a work in progress with technologies that are maturing rapidly. Thales has a clear vision for autonomy and is working in partnership with its customers and partners to deliver the transformation. - Dr. Yves Joannic, VP Main Line Signalling Managing Director, Ground Transportation Systems Thale
Autonomy delivers both energy savings and performance enhancements that make rail more attractive to passengers. Taking the train is an attractive alternative to journeys by road, with railways consuming 12 times less energy and emiting up to 11 times less CO per passenger / kilometre compared with cars and trucks.
Discover Thales autonomous technologies and Lucy, the Thales lab for autonomous rail solutions at InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin from September 20 to 23 (stand #670, #571 - Hub27), the worlds leading trade fair for Transport industry.
Documents
PR_20220209_Thales key autonomous technologies_ENG.pdf
Contact
Thales, Media Relations Ground Transportation
+33 (0)6 25 15 72 93 chrystelle.dugimont@thalesgroup.com
22 Sep 2022
Thales presents its cyber-secured solutions for more connected rail transport
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
13/05/2026
New Adobe Premiere Color Grading Mode Accelerated on NVIDIA GPUs
Joel Pennington May 13, 2026
0 Comments
New NVIDIA RTX-accelerated features streamlin...
13/05/2026
Grass Valley announced that dB Broadcast has delivered new IP-based outside broadcast (OB) trucks for Cloudbass, featuring Grass Valley LDX 100 Series cameras a...
13/05/2026
Ikegami will exhibit the latest additions to its wide range of broadcast production cameras, control units, viewfinders and monitors on stand 5D3-1 at Broadcast...
13/05/2026
FISE, working with the founding members of the XR Sports Alliance (XRSA), Accedo, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and HBS, have collaborated to develop an immersive...
13/05/2026
Canon Unveils New EOS R6 V Full-Frame EOS Camera and RF20-50mm F4 L IS USM PZ Bu...
13/05/2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Honors Beth Morrison and Moses Pendleton at Comme...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/05/2026
Creative software developer Foundry today announced the latest developments on Nuke Stage. A purpose-built application for end-to-end virtual production and in-...
13/05/2026
A definitive portrait of one of Ireland's most influential musicians
New TV documentary airs Monday 18 May on RT One and RT Player at 9.35pm
Watch the...
13/05/2026
Agentic AI is changing the way users get work done. Following the success of OpenClaw, the community is embracing new open source agentic frameworks. The latest...
13/05/2026
Reinforcement-learning agents - AI systems that learn by trial and error - can c...
12/05/2026
Beyond the Hype: A Strategic Post-Hoc Analysis of NAB 2026 If NAB Show 2026 had an underlying theme, it was a quiet, industry-wide pivot from the high-energy sp...
12/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D), a Panoptec Technologies Group company, and CT Square, led by Chandresh Shah, have announced a joint venture to distribute G&D and V...
12/05/2026
With 30 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the United States, has announced th...
12/05/2026
The NHL has announced the return of Stanley Pup for its third consecutive year, a 90-minute special featuring adoptable rescue dogs competing on a miniature rin...
12/05/2026
NBCUniversal presented its 2026 Upfront to advertisers at Radio City Music Hall, detailing upcoming programming across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, and Versant properti...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced funding for the Fandom and Social Connection Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Publ...
12/05/2026
TNDV and Live Media, both divisions of Live Media Group, supported live broadcast coverage around NCAA Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, including the March M...
12/05/2026
The European Football Alliance (EFA) has announced a content distribution agreement with Fubo Sports Network, the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel ...
12/05/2026
For the first time, Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S. will have two separate tel...
12/05/2026
CP Communications led a comprehensive spectrum management initiative on behalf of Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week, coordinating RF assets across the ...
12/05/2026
LiveU has announced a strategic partnership with DRONERESPONDERS, a 501(c)3 non-...
12/05/2026
Open Broadcast Systems has announced that BMC TV, a specialist in IP transport of broadcast content, has selected the Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway solution...
12/05/2026
NEP Europe, part of NEP Group, has announced it will deliver broadcast solutions...
12/05/2026
Grass Valley has announced continued collaboration with Ravensbourne University ...
12/05/2026
Stats Perform has announced the launch of Opta Pulse, an AI-assisted video creation and distribution platform for leagues, rights holders, and broadcasters. The...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced a collaboration with Sesame Workshop to integrate Sesame Street characters into FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 programming. Conten...
12/05/2026
To date, NHL Productions has produced 19 broadcasts with commentary in American Sign Language
NHL in ASL (American Sign Language) may be just one show, but the...
12/05/2026
Google's Brian Albert: creators, athletes, highlights, nostalgia, second-scr...
12/05/2026
A still from Past Lives by Celine Song, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | p...
12/05/2026
Spotify is where fans and artists come together, turning discovery into somethin...
12/05/2026
Features patented Marco-MMC clocking technology
Black Lion Audio's latest release combines the company's expertise in clocking with their renowned p...
12/05/2026
New Track Panel, sequencer upgrades & more
Following their recent public beta release, Reason Studios have announced the full release of Reason 14. With the...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
12/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents its advanced solutions for power electronics testing at...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
Facebook 
