The future of rail starts now: Knorr-Bremse at InnoTrans 2026
“Rail Mobility Visioneers”: Knorr-Bremse brings the future rail ecosystem to life for visitors
Three solution areas: vehicle solutions (On-Train), signaling technology (Wayside), and cross-sectional (X.Sectional) connect trains, tracks, and digital intelligence
On-Train: Highlight solutions that boost performance, optimize ecological footprint, and enhance reliability
Wayside: intelligent solutions such as the ElectroLogIXS digital platform for data-driven interlocking, signaling systems, and railroad crossings
X.Sectional: Embedded Electronic Solutions, Digital Solutions, and RailServices as the interface between the vehicle, infrastructure, and lifecycle management
Expectations for rail are high: More people and freight are expected to travel by train than ever before – more efficiently, sustainably, and reliably. To achieve this goal, rolling stock, infrastructure, and digital applications are converging to form an intelligent rail ecosystem. At InnoTrans, Knorr-Bremse brings this future to life for customers and visitors: at a multi-level booth spanning approximately 1,350 square meters in Hall 1.2, Booth 250, as well as at a specialized booth for embedded electronics in Hall 27, Booth 740.
Dr. Nicolas Lange, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG with global responsibility for the Rail Division: “We want to offer our customers solutions that take the entire rail ecosystem into account. For us as Rail Mobility Visioneers, this means intelligently connecting vehicles, infrastructure, and digital applications. With state-of-the-art electronics and innovative signaling and track technologies, we are systematically expanding our expertise and tapping into new growth opportunities. In this way, we create real added value for our customers and help make rail transport more efficient, reliable, and attractive.”
Matthäus Englbrecht, Chief Technology Officer of the Knorr-Bremse Rail Division: “At InnoTrans, we’re showcasing how our solution portfolios complement each other to form a holistic rail ecosystem. Our main booth, featuring the On-Train, Wayside, and X.Sectional areas, takes visitors on a journey through the world of rolling stock, infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Especially at X.Sectional, we’ll demonstrate how electronics, software, and RailServices work together throughout the lifecycle of fleets and infrastructure to enhance performance, availability, and efficiency.”
1. X.Sectional: The intelligence layer of the rail ecosystem
Data ensures that vehicles, infrastructure, digital applications, and RailServices work together seamlessly. Knorr-Bremse brings these technologies together under X.Sectional: Embedded Electronic Solutions serve as a central interface between leading electronics, software, communications, and control expertise, incorporating the know-how of the duagon and Selectron brands. Digital Solutions transform data into valuable insights for intelligent condition monitoring, improved maintenance, and AI-supported environmental monitoring. For example, Railnova helps operators optimize service, operations, and fleet planning based on data. Railnova’s digital solutions are already in use on approximately 3,000 locomotives and multiple-unit trains across Europe. The AI-powered driver assistance system RailEye® Front Collision Warning, developed in cooperation with digital partner EYYES, enhances safety and availability in metro, tram, and light rail transit. RailServices offers solutions for the entire lifecycle of rail systems, including modernization, repair, and overhaul.
2. On-Train technologies: the intelligent vehicle
On-train systems are interacting more and more intelligently within trains to boost performance and efficiency on rail networks. Knorr-Bremse combines mechanics, mechatronics, electrification, automation, and digitalization into forward-looking, software-defined solutions.
More traffic on the tracks: The focus is on the “Evolution of Braking” to improve traffic flow across the network. With its digital-electromechanical braking system (Brake-by-Wire), Knorr-Bremse is introducing a true gamechanger for the train of the future, which will revolutionize the capabilities of braking systems thanks to full electrification, connectivity, and even greater performance. At the same time, Knorr-Bremse is advancing the development of the digital-electropneumatic brake (Brake-by-Air), which is already the global standard in vehicles and fleets worldwide.
Strong rail freight: With Future Rail Freight Transportation, Knorr-Bremse demonstrates that the digitalization of rail freight transport works: the Digital Automatic Coupler (FreightLink) brings wired power and data connections to trains and is the enabler for an automated and digitalized freight transport. At the same time, Knorr-Bremse is focusing on wireless automation solutions for fleets and railcars that offer tangible added value in terms of efficiency and operational optimization (Freight Control Sentinel). In addition, automation and assistance systems such as LEADER Flow and LEADER AutoControl optimize energy efficiency, performance, and reliability in rail freight transport.
Optimized ecological footprint: With Sustainable Friction Pairing, Knorr-Bremse pursues a holistic approach to sustainability: The ideal combination of brake pad (friction material) and brake disc supports the targeted optimization of the CO₂ footprint, particulate emissions, material compliance, circular economy, and energy efficiency during the braking process. The AirSupply Smart optimizes the compressed air supply to be quieter, more demand-responsive, and more energy-efficient than ever before. And the Smart Integrated Functional Unit (SIFU) makes current and voltage measurement on the vehicle more transparent, thereby supporting intelligent energy management across fleets.
Enhanced passenger comfort: Uncompromising accessibility, increased safety combined with higher operational efficiency, and maximum availability through digitalization are all integrated into the entrance systems. ZeroStepBoarding allows for step-free access, ProDect 2S enables reliable passenger detection without a light grid, and digital maintenance and monitoring solutions optimize efficiency and costs.
3. Wayside technologies & signaling systems: The smart rail line
Higher transport capacity comes from strong fleets – and a future-proof rail network. After all, the capacity that existing rail infrastructure can provide also depends on the tracks, routes, and infrastructure components. New electronic and digital applications optimize operating parameters, monitor infrastructure elements such as signal boxes, railroad crossings, track circuits, and switches, and use condition data to provide deep insights into operations and thus enable better decisions.
At the heart of the Wayside portfolio: the scalable ElectroLogIXS platform. Based on its common hardware and software foundation, Knorr-Bremse presents solutions for three key application areas along the track:
Data-Driven Interlocking optimizes safe train detection and control of train movements by combining traditional interlocking technology with intelligent data functions. The central control solution is the ElectroLogIXS Vital Logic Controller (VLC), which handles the safety-critical control of train movements. The Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) collects operational data directly from the track, while the Wayside System Data Management Module (WSDMM) analyzes this data. This provides valuable insights into the condition of the infrastructure and lays the foundation for predictive maintenance and the early detection of malfunctions.
Field Elements connects safety-critical components, such as the latest generation of LED Compact signals, switch actuators, train detection systems, and other infrastructure elements, into an intelligent track system. The ElectroLogIXS Object Controller controls and monitors these components via a common platform. In doing so, it lays the foundation for the modernization of existing infrastructure and helps to increase its performance and efficiency.
Level Crossing ensures safe and reliable control of railroad crossings. Intelligent ElectroLogIXS XP4 control solutions monitor and coordinate all components of the railroad crossing system. This enhances safety and availability at particularly critical points in the railroad infrastructure.
The next stage in rail development
As a global technology partner, Knorr-Bremse understands the requirements, standards, and operational realities of rail markets worldwide and continues to develop rail systems across markets and applications. Nicolas Lange is convinced: “The greatest potential for innovation arises where vehicles, infrastructure, and digital applications interact intelligently. We will showcase this rail ecosystem at InnoTrans 2026. We want to usher in the next stage of rail development together with our customers worldwide.”
Meet Knorr-Bremse: Rail Mobility Visioneers at InnoTrans 2026
Under the motto “Rail Mobility Visioneers,” Knorr-Bremse will present itself for the first time at InnoTrans 2026 (September 22-25, 2026, Berlin) as an integrated Tier 1 systems partner for the rail ecosystem. At a 1,350 square meter multi-level booth in Hall 1.2, Booth 250, Knorr-Bremse brings together on-train technologies, wayside systems, and X.Sectional innovations such as Embedded Electronic Solutions into a comprehensive portfolio.
The additional platform in Hall 27, Booth 740 offers in-depth insights into Embedded Electronic Solutions. Besides, Knorr-Bremse will present solutions related to the Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) and the digital-electromechanical braking system at Europe’s Rail (Hall 4.2, Booth 250). At the CityCube (Hall B, Booth 610), exhibitor Gruppo FS will focus on DAC as a key technology for automated rail freight transport.