ÖBB Annual Report 2025

75 Group Management Report Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Holding Aktiengesellschaft Consolidated Financial Statements | Group Management Report 32 Some project highlights from the areas of research, technology and innovation sectors, as well as open innovation within the ÖBB Group in 2025 are presented below: – Tunnel Drainage Rover (ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG): An autonomous inspection robot for tunnel drainage systems – the Tunnel Drainage Rover (TDR) – is currently being developed to increase the future availability of railroad tunnels, to enable drainage inspection without interrupting railroad operations and to optimize personnel requirements for drainage inspection and flushing. In addition, methods for automated sintering classification are being developed. These assess the sintering condition of the drainage pipes using video and scan data. This in turn is the basis for demand- oriented maintenance and optimization of resources and tunnel closures. The research project is being carried out as part of the COMET funding program in collaboration with the Linz Center of Mechatronics GmbH and the University of Leoben (Zentrum am Berg). – SARI30 – Self-propelled Autonomous Railcar Integration (Rail Cargo Austria AG): In the first project phase (R4C), the concept for the SARI initiative is being developed. To achieve this, the feasibility and economic viability of a (semi) autonomous or highly automated self-driving freight wagon for last mile operations in the secondary network will be practically demonstrated at an existing customer site. In this project phase, 4,000 truck journeys per year will be shifted to rail. – AM2Scale (ÖBB-Technische Services-GmbH): “AM2Scale” is a nationally funded FFG project by ÖBB-Technische Services- GmbH. It is driving forward the transformation of the spare parts supply chain through the strategic use of additive manufacturing technologies. The aim is to significantly increase the availability of critical components, thereby drastically reducing vehicle and system downtimes. “AM2Scale” addresses key challenges along the entire development and production chain. The project is developing innovative solutions for sustainable, decentralized and efficient spare parts supply. The focus is on the intelligent use of component, process and life cycle data as well as the integration of digital tools such as data hubs and digital twins. Their use reduces the reject rate, minimizes the CO₂ footprint and increases efficiency. With its clear focus on industrial research and pilot applications in a corporate environment, “AM2Scale” paves the way for the scaling of additive manufacturing for rail rail-bound vehicle operators and energy suppliers. The project therefore makes a decisive contribution to the future viability of maintenance. – Autonomous shuttles (Österreichische Postbus AG / ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG): Automated driving technology offers many opportunities for road safety and public transport in remote regions. At the same time, it is a potential non-current answer to the impending shortage of drivers in the bus market. The “Postbus Autonomous Shuttle Service Transportation” project aims to test the maturity level of the technology and the market. To this end, autonomous shuttles are to be used in pilot regions. The focus is on technological and economic scalability within a changing (legal) environment. – Digitalization in rail replacement services (henceforth RRS) (Österreichische Postbus AG): The RRS process comprises requesting, scheduling and billing. It has been or is currently being digitalized and semi automated, which significantly reduces response times. A central platform now enables efficient, software-supported communication between dispatchers, drivers and subcontractors, eliminating the need for telephone chains. Real-time tracking of the buses ensures full transparency for everyone. In future, up-to-date arrival and connection information will also be available digitally for passengers. An integrated navigation solution with stored RRS route layouts supports drivers with route guidance. This reduces errors resulting from a lack of local knowledge or diversions. By using existing systems and devices, an innovative, cost-efficient solution has been created that makes the RRS process faster, more transparent and more customer-friendly. The core theme of ÖBB Open Innovation in 2025 was “Energy meets Mobility”. Extensive validation and exploration work was carried out in this regard. A particularly positive example of successful community work is “Hack4Rail” – a joint hackathon organized by DB, SBB and ÖBB. The “Corporate Venturing” team focused intensively on developing a purchasing process to facilitate collaboration with start-ups. In the area of product and service innovations, “ÖBB Echo” was implemented – a customer pool used to gather valuable feedback on new products and services. The R&D project portfolio is currently compiled via the Group’s internal RTI tool. Simple queries and corresponding filter options, for example by thematic area or sub-group, can be used to obtain an overview of current and recently completed R&D projects. This makes it easy to visualize, for example, the 68 F&E projects running within the ÖBB Group in 2025 with a project volume of approx. EUR 87.5 million (over the entire term). This also underlines the economic importance of the ÖBB Group’s R&D activities. MR32 |