SAMIRA 2.0

The challenge

The last mile makes all the difference – at a cost

Shunting is particularly labour-intensive where goods are brought the last mile to terminals and sidings – and it is precisely here that the shortage of skilled workers is felt most acutely. In pushed movements, the head of the train has so far had to be staffed in person or laboriously reached on foot.

The result is unproductive walking, work in all weathers and an unattractive workplace. This makes the last mile costly, inflexible and dependent on scarce personnel – a growing disadvantage in the competition with trucks.

Shunting today

The head of the train is staffed in person or reached on foot – with a radio link to the locomotive driver.

With SAMIRA 2.0

The sensor module secures the head of the train – the locomotive driver stays in the cab.

SAMIRAmobil: cameras, LiDAR and GNSS in one housing

The solution: SAMIRAmobil

A sensor module takes the lead

At the heart of SAMIRA 2.0 is SAMIRAmobil – a portable, battery-powered sensor module that is attached to the last wagon quickly and without any modifications. Stereo camera, LiDAR, RADAR and satellite-based positioning capture the surroundings at the head of the train; an AI developed specifically for shunting detects people, vehicles and obstacles – reliably, even in fog, snow and rain.

Via hybrid 5G, an augmented real-time video stream reaches the cab directly – highlighting the route, distances and the calculated braking distance. The locomotive driver stays in the cab and always has a safe view of the head of the train.

An intelligent sensor system takes the lead – digital rather than manual.

Features

What SAMIRA sees at the head of the train

AI detection: person in the track area, route segmented at a switch

AI danger zone monitoring

A purpose-trained AI detects people, vehicles, signals and signs in the shunting area and segments the route – even at switches.

LiDAR obstacle detection

LiDAR and RADAR complement the camera to form a redundant picture of the surroundings and measure distances to obstacles on the route.

Track-selective positioning

GNSS with RTK correction and inertial sensors determine the position to the centimetre; digital track maps stabilise positioning on the correct track.

Live feed in the cab with highlighted route

In the cab: SAMIRAhmi

The head of the train in the live feed

On the display in the cab, the locomotive driver sees the live feed from the last wagon. Route, obstacles, distances and the calculated braking distance are overlaid directly using augmented reality.

Access for everyone authorised

Because the augmented video stream is transmitted over a data network, it is also available to the control centre, track workers or operations management.

The picture gets through: hybrid 5G

Transmission has to be secure and virtually delay-free. That is why SAMIRA uses the public 5G network and private campus networks – and switches seamlessly between them during operation.

Latency-minimised real-time transmission from the moving train

Campus networks close dead spots and cover factory halls

Seamless handover between public and campus network

Application

Mobile on the wagon or permanently installed

Testing in the 5G test field in the Ore Mountains: mounting on the coupling hook by one person

Mobile on the last wagon

SAMIRAmobil is mounted on the coupling hook by one person without tools and is ready for use within a short time. The battery lasts a full work shift.

Stationary as SAMIRAfix

The core components can also be installed as a stationary module on a pole or building – to monitor danger spots such as level crossings or confusing track ladders.

Your benefits

Safer, more efficient, future-proof

Greater safety

Increases operational safety throughout shunting – even at night and in bad weather – and actively prevents collisions.

More efficient operations

No staffed or shuttling head of train, no unproductive walking: scheduling becomes more flexible and less dependent on scarce personnel.

Foundation for Logistics 4.0

Real-time monitoring, automation and the integration of AI and IoT – expandable all the way to autonomous shunting.

European development

Fully developed by IKADO, with all rights held by IKADO – tested in real operations and validated in test and measurement runs.

Expansion stages

From the base system to your solution

SAMIRA is modular and scalable and grows with your requirements – in three stages.

1

Mobile module on the wagon

SAMIRAmobil is mounted on the last wagon when needed – without modifying vehicles or infrastructure.
2

Fixed train equipment

The sensors are permanently installed on the shunting locomotive or at both ends of the train.
3

Without a shunting attendant in both directions

Unaccompanied shunting in both directions – as the basis for autonomous shunting.

Maturity & development

In development since 2019 – available to order now

TRL 7 – tested and validated in the field

09/2019 Start of SAMIRA1 – funded by the state of NRW and the EU (ERDF)
09/2022 Live demonstration of the complete system at Reuschling in Hattingen
03/2023 Completion of SAMIRA1
01/2024 Start of SAMIRA2.0 in the federal programme “The Future of Rail Freight Transport”
05/2025 First stakeholder workshop
09/2026 Prototype B in the “Digital Test Field for Rail” at Chemnitz University of Technology · World premiere at InnoTrans
Available now Launch Edition available to order Enquire now
until 05/2027 Field testing in real shunting operations and project completion