Drone-based remote diagnostics

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    Deutsche Bahn moves Germany. Every day.

    One railway. Reliable. For everyone.

    Infrastructure

    We operate a 33,400 kilometre-long network with 5,400 stations, which are used by 450 railway companies and 50,000 trains every day.

    Passenger transport

    Every day, more than five million people travel with Deutsche Bahn - in ICE and Intercity trains, in regional express trains or in regional and suburban trains.

    Logistics

    DB Cargo replaces around 80,000 lorry journeys across Europe each day, offering a climate-friendly alternative.

    The immediate action programmes for a better railway.

    More efficient, more reliable and determined to permanently and noticeably improve quality for passengers.

    The modernisation of the infrastructure takes time. We are implementing three immediate action programmes so that customers can see that things are improving at DB: for improved cleanliness and security at our stations. For greater comfort on long-distance services. For a better customer information. For these three programmes, we are investing a total of more than 140 million euros in DB in 2026 alone.  

    Even cleaner trains and ever more reliable service in our dining cars make train journeys even more comfortable and attractive. 

    Increased presence of security staff, additional cleaning and quick repairs at railway stations ensure that people enjoy their stay and get to their trains in comfort.  

    In future, DB will provide customers with even better information before and during their journey - both on the train, at the station and in digital information channels. 
    DB is using improved drone technology to make infrastructure inspections more efficient.

    It is planning to test drones and air taxis in Ingolstadt, Germany. DB is one of the participants in the Urban Air Mobility initiative, which is supported by the European Commission and focuses on areas where air mobility could be used and on shaping the framework. Other project partners include Audi, Airbus, the German Aerospace Center, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

    Flying keeps trains running

    DB's multicopter fleet helps passengers reach their destination reliably and on time and is helping speed up the modernization of Germany's rail network. Aerial images taken by around 20 multicopters provide digital data, which can be used primarily to manage vegetation along rail lines, inspect bridges and stations, and prepare 3D models for construction projects.

    Multicopter use at Deutsche Bahn

  • Cameras can provide everything from high-res digital photos and videos to infrared images
  • Overhead lines can be inspected without having to cut traction power or interrupt train transport.
  • Drones are increasingly being used in areas that are normally off limits, f.e. when people or graffiti sprayers are on tracks.
  • Today's drones have tilting rotors that allow them to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like an airplane.
  • DB is taking part in the urban air mobility project in Ingolstadt.
  • The multicopter team at DB Security has been using drones consistently since 2015.
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    • Cameras can provide everything from high-res digital photos and videos to infrared images
      Copyright: DB AG/ Roman Reifschneider
    • Overhead lines can be inspected without having to cut traction power or interrupt train transport.
      Copyright: DB AG/ Roman Reifschneider
    • Drones are increasingly being used in areas that are normally off limits, f.e. when people or graffiti sprayers are on tracks.
      Copyright: DB AG/ Christian Bedischinski
    • Today's drones have tilting rotors that allow them to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like an airplane.
      Copyright: DB AG
    • DB is taking part in the urban air mobility project in Ingolstadt.
      Copyright: DB/ Oliver Lang
    • The multicopter team at DB Security has been using drones consistently since 2015.
      Copyright: DB AG/ Mario Finkbeiner
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    Right now, the biggest potential for drone technology at DB is in inspecting the 33,000 kilometer railway network.

    In the future, multicopters will fly "out of sight" so they can become even faster and provide real added value in terms of infrastructure maintenance. Not only will drones make it possible to identify root causes of malfunctions much more quickly and economically; remote diagnostics using long distance drones will mean greater precision and flexibility. Flying drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) is the first pilot project that DB and partners are conducting at the urban air mobility test space. The first test flight was conducted in Saxony-Anhalt in March. It was six kilometers long and was used to inspect a power line.

    Mobility in the third dimension

    With noise, particulate matter, space shortages and congestion reaching problematic levels, individual mobility is reaching its limits, especially in cities. At the same time, requirements being placed on mobility continue to increase. And cities are home to more and more people, which means even more traffic. We need innovative mobility solutions to tackle these challenges. The third dimension, the airspace, is becoming an important factor in mobility and logistics within cities, and that's why it is part of the Ingolstadt model project. Mobility in the airspace is an exciting field, which Deutsche Bahn wants to be involved in and help shape from the very beginning. The Ingolstadt region lends itself to the project not only because of the companies located there, which include Audi and Airbus. It also has enough space to make available for tests.