Digital infrastructure and communication technology

On February 1, 2025, the new Digital Infrastructure and Communication Technology division was established within DB InfraGO AG to bundle central activities and competencies for the digitalization of track infrastructure. DB Communication Technology and activities of DB E&C were integrated into the new division effective June 1, 2025. With about 5,500 employees, the new division aims to face the challenges of digital infrastructure with a holistic approach.

An important milestone in the digitalization of the railways has been reached: for the first time, DB Group has concluded a volume contract with the rail industry as part of the Digital Rail for Germany sector initiative. Under the contract, DB Group undertakes to call up a defined quantity of digital command and control technology products and services by 2028. In exchange, the rail industry undertakes to supply precisely these products and services. The first call under the volume contract was already made in May 2025.

At the Stuttgart Digital Hub, progress is being made with equipping the infrastructure at the core hub and planning in the surrounding area. The equipping and conversion of 517 multiple units also picked up speed significantly in the first half of 2025. The first multiple units have been back in passenger operations since March 2025.

Significant progress was also made in the AutomatedTrain project. Together with eight partners, DB Group is developing and demonstrating the technical feasibility of driverless provisioning and stabling runs as well as the automatic setup and shutdown of trains. The conversion of the two test vehicles has already begun. Once the conversion is complete, the first tests with the converted vehicles are scheduled to start in September 2025.