Article: MONOCAB wins RegioStars Award 2025: DB Systemtechnik supports the development of the Monorail of the future!
The enableATO / MONOCAB project pursues the vision of making disused railroad lines in rural areas usable again with autonomous, gyro-stabilized monorail vehicles.
The autonomous MONOCABs offer flexible, cost-efficient transport solutions, especially for less-frequented secondary routes, enabling demand-driven, low-emission local transport. A unique feature: thanks to their innovative track guidance system, MONOCABs can pass each other on a rail line without requiring additional infrastructure.
Partners in the Network
The MONOCAB consortium brings together expertise from science, industry and rail operations. The project is supported by a strong network consisting of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (TH OWL), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI), Paderborn University (UPB) and Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, which are supported by numerous industrial partners such as DB Systemtechnik.
DB Systemtechnik in the enableATO
DB Systemtechnik contributes its extensive expertise in rail technology, system integration and automation to the enableATO project for MONOCAB.
The aim of the "enableATO" project is to implement and asses modern concepts for automated rail mobility, exploring new rail-based solutions for rural areas. The focus is on perception technologies related to automated driving such as sensor-based perception, approval processes, intelligent maintenance and the demonstration of these technologies, for example in the MONOCAB.
DB Systemtechnik expertise within the enableATO for MONOCAB
- How can MONOCABs be approved or go into public service?
- What technical and regulatory hurdles must be overcome?
- Which experiences from automated train operation (ATO) can be transferred to the conventional rail network?
- MONOCAB as a Demonstrator - on Test Track and Real track
The MONOCABS are already being tested. On a 30 meter long test track in an Workshop hall of the Albert Fischer in Dörentrup-Humfeld and on real tracks along on disused sections of the Extertalbahn line operated by VBE. Trial operation are also planned for this rail section.
Great success
In October 2025, the MONOCAB project received the prestigious RegioStars Award from the European Commission in the category "A Connected Europe", recognizing its pioneering work in innovative mobility concepts.
Further information
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