This morning (Tuesday 24 September), Innotrans 2024 was opened at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds by Dirk Hoffmann, COO of Messe Berlin, and Federal Minister of Transport Dr. Volker Wissing. Once again, Berlin has become the international hub for the mobility solutions of tomorrow, and the industry’s leading minds will discuss innovative concepts and smart products.
Dirk Hoffmann, said: “InnoTrans 2024 is a very special edition. With the display halls, Outdoor Display and Summer Garden all fully occupied, it is now bigger than ever. It is the largest trade show ever to be held in Berlin and caps a unique success story. A show that always moves with the times, and with its focus on electrification, digitalisation and sustainability, it sets exactly the right priorities.“
Dr. Volker Wissing added: “InnoTrans is a highlight on the rail industry’s calendar of events because it stands for innovation and progress. It provides an important boost that can help to overcome the major challenges facing this sector. I am delighted that this year InnoTrans is for the first time hosting a display dedicated to AI. Particularly at a time of skills shortages and the growth in transport, it has huge potential.“
This year, InnoTrans is attracting particular interest from politicians. On Wednesday, 25 September 2024, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, Governing Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner, and Berlin’s Senator for Transport and the Environment Ute Bonde are due to attend.
Access to all the world’s markets
2,940 exhibitors from 59 countries are displaying their latest products and services. Occupying 42 display halls on a total area of 200,000 square metres, the exhibition grounds are fully booked. “No other mobility trade show gathers so many decision-makers, movers and visionaries, where they can exchange ideas, negotiate business and finalise investments“, said Kerstin Schulz, director of InnoTrans. “A single visit gives trade visitors the opportunity to gain access to all the world’s markets.“ 32 international associations from 17 countries and 27 transport companies from 15 countries are taking part as exhibitors in the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology.
Cutting-edge technology
Trade visitors can look forward to 226 world innovations in five show segments: Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction. The products and services on display range from a battery fuel cell-powered locomotive and an AI-based algorithm for timetables and barrier-free access to mainline trains, to anti-graffiti film for glass surfaces. Visitors to the show can find an overview and detailed product descriptions in the World Innovation Guide online at www.innotrans.de.
On the Outdoor Display exhibitors are presenting 133 new vehicles with forward-looking features on 3,500 metres of rail track. Among the products Siemens Mobility is exhibiting is Velaro, a high-speed train designed for the Egyptian market. Developed to withstand extreme weather conditions, it combines relevant design features with premium passenger comfort. Alstom is displaying its Coradia Max™ regional train for Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG), which combines a single and double-decker design. It is also exhibiting Flexity™, Berlin’s longest tram, whose standout features include roominess, sustainability and innovative safety systems such as the Obstacle Detection Assistance System (ODAS).
Stadler is displaying the RS ZERO for the first time to the public at InnoTrans. With its combination of fuel cell and battery electric power, the train, which is designed for regional lines, operates emissions-free. With its CITYLINK for Saarbahn, the company is exhibiting an urban transport option. The combination of a tram and train can service a city and its surrounding region with no connecting transport. Vossloh Rolling Stock is taking part with its Modula BFC hybrid locomotive, which combines hydrogen and hybrid drive systems to efficiently transport goods on different lines.
Other exhibits on the Outdoor Display include Hitachi Rail’s ETR1000, a high-speed train compatible with various European electric power supply systems, and CRRC’s ultra energy-efficient CINOVA, a train designed for regional lines.
Tomorrow’s transport
The InnoTrans Convention with its numerous high-level podium discussions and debates among experts on current and future mobility issues has always been the platform for a face-to-face exchange of views. Its heartbeat is the Dialog Forums which will take place daily at palais.Berlin. They are coordinated by the German Railway Industry Association (VDB), the German Transport Forum (DVF), the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE), the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) and the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV).
In addition to the Dialog Forums, InnoTrans provides an opportunity to exchange views on topics relating to every segment at the show. Whether at the International Design Forum, International Bus Forum, International Tunnel Forum, DB Innovation Forum or Public Transport Forum – trade visitors can look forward to fascinating speakers and discussions.
Young, diverse, and inclusive
The InnoTrans supporting programme also features attractive formats. This year sees the launch of the Railway Influencer Festival. On 27 September 2024 at the Marshall Haus, selected exhibitors can for the first time meet and network with influencers, bloggers and YouTubers. An independent jury will also honour the winners of three categories on YouTube (Best InnoTrans Video, Best Brand Video and Best Mobility Channel) with the Railway Influencer Award.
On Tuesday, 24 September 2024, the Women in Mobility initiative is holding a luncheon at palais.Berlin. In addition to Michaela Strohschneider, Deputy Head of Unit, European Union, Paloma Iribas Forcat, Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), and Noemi Jiménez-Redondo, Director of Research & Innovation at the Spanish company CEMOSA, are also expected to speak.
On Wednesday 25 September 2024, the Women in Rail Award 2024 will be presented on the stand of EU Rail. The prize recognises outstanding achievements by women in the rail industry and the activities of organisations and companies which have paved the way for greater fairness, diversity and equality in this sector. The prize will be awarded in the categories Women Empowerment, Leadership & Mentoring and Research & Innovation.
AI and cybersecurity
Digital solutions are becoming increasingly important in the transport sector. However, this also increases the risk of cyberattacks. InnoTrans is launching the AI Mobility Lab, an exhibition area dedicated to this topic, in the Public Transport segment in Hall 7.1a. 42 exhibitors from 17 countries are showcasing their expertise in AI, robotics, data protection and cybersecurity, including Google Cloud, CRRC Academy and Cisco. Among them is Next Generation Robotics, which is exhibiting its new multimodal robotic platform for automatically inspecting rail vehicle running gear. Isarsoft is showing its AI-based video analysis tool for planning, operations and security. One of the highlights of the supporting programme will be a lecture by the cybersecurity expert Mirko Ross, CEO of Asvin.
Image credit: InnoTrans
