As is typical with complex testing, some technical adjustments were necessary at the outset. Afterward, the test drives proceeded smoothly. During this process, the project reached two important milestones: The MONOCAB completed its first autonomous trips carrying passengers and reliably detected obstacles on the route. The vehicle braked automatically and came to a safe stop in front of both static and dynamic obstacles.
During the test drives, the MONOCAB completed autonomous runs on a roughly 50-meter-long route in Test Field 1 in Extertal. It followed a predetermined route while simultaneously transmitting compressed camera images to a remote command and control center. Data transmission took place via Wi-Fi and served as a placeholder for the future 5G connection.
Another main focus area was precise vehicle localization. To achieve this, the project team combined data from satellite navigation (GNSS), inertial measurement units (IMU), and wheel sensors. This data was used to create a precisely measured digital track map.
Environmental perception was also successfully tested. Combinations of camera and LiDAR sensors, along with camera-based AI methods, reliably detected people and other obstacles on the track. This was supplemented by methods for track segmentation and depth estimation. The detected objects were immediately incorporated into the driving strategy. The MONOCAB automatically adjusted its speed and stopped on its own when necessary.
Testing of so-called interior perception was also successful. A super-wide-angle camera detected standing and seated passengers and automatically recorded boarding and alighting events. The vehicle stopped autonomously at defined stops, detected passenger changes, and then continued its journey on its own.
Furthermore, the test series confirmed that synthetic training data can be successfully applied to real-world operating conditions. In addition, the project team collected extensive measurement data, including chassis vibrations and various boarding and alighting scenarios inside the vehicle.
The test days also served as a demonstration event. Representatives from the media, academia, industry, and regional networks learned about the project’s current status. The high level of interest underscores the growing attention being paid to MONOCAB and the enableATO research project. The concept of automated, on-demand rail transport on existing infrastructure is gaining increasing traction both nationally and internationally.
Test Operations Manager Hanno Meyer zu Theenhausen thanked everyone involved for their dedicated efforts in preparing and conducting the test days.
The successful trials mark an important developmental milestone for the research project. The insights gained will be directly incorporated into the further development of MONOCAB’s automation functions and will form the basis for the next testing and demonstration phases.