DB Cargo, in cooperation with Bosch Engineering and ITK Engineering, is developing a fully automated shunting locomotive intended for deployment at major formation yards across Germany.
Shunting operations—traditionally conducted by manually controlled locomotives—play a central role in freight train organisation. Wagons are separated, resorted, and reassembled at classification yards, with the locomotive responsible for moving them between different tracks. The new automation technology is designed to allow these tasks to be carried out independently by the locomotive itself.
The system combines multiple components. Bosch Engineering is developing an automation platform equipped with sensor technology and environment recognition algorithms, enabling autonomous movement of rolling stock. ITK Engineering is responsible for creating an operator interface to be used lineside, where commands can be issued to the locomotive and shunting movements monitored and managed.
A prototype was previously tested at the Munich North marshalling yard. DB Cargo is working toward receiving approval from the German Federal Railway Authority by the end of 2027. According to current plans, operational use at DB Cargo's primary formation yards is expected to begin from 2028.
The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport under its programme supporting automation in rail freight. Both Bosch Engineering and ITK Engineering are subsidiaries of Robert Bosch GmbH, and their collaboration on this initiative is expected to run through October 2027.
