photo: RAILTARGET/Škoda Digital at InnoTrans 2026, Berlin, Germany
This year’s InnoTrans in Berlin showed once again that the future of urban transport is increasingly digital. At the fair, Škoda Digital presented technologies that are already being used in Prague to detect dangerous situations and intervene within a fraction of a second.
The company’s vision goes beyond futuristic concepts. Its systems combine artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance to make urban transport safer, simpler and more efficient.
Three Pillars: Digital City, Smart Mobility and Smart Vehicles
"We want to be a strong partner for customers, operators, cities and entire regions," said Jiří Liberda, who led Škoda Digital’s presentation. Cities around the world are under growing pressure as more people move into urban areas that were largely designed around cars. Škoda’s response is its Urban Life concept, built around three pillars: the digital city, smart mobility and smart vehicles.
As company representatives pointed out, the crowded trains arriving in Berlin are a clear reminder that public transport is a backbone of sustainable urban development. But transport also needs to be simple for passengers. "Often, when you arrive in a new city, it is difficult even to work out how to buy a ticket. Our goal is to make mobility accessible, easy to use, fully connected and safe," the company said during its presentation on smart mobility.
No Accidents and Zero Delays? AI Could Help
As a technology provider, Škoda Digital has set an ambitious goal: zero delays and no accidents. Artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, advanced driver assistance systems and strong cybersecurity all play a role in that vision.
CTO Jan Hušák pointed out that the company is already developing solutions for current transport systems rather than technology for some distant future. "We are not here to make things just for the distant future. We make things for people and cities here and now. We operate in seven countries, with Germany, the Czech Republic and Scandinavia being key markets," he said. Among the company’s recent projects is the Škoda 52T tram.
When the System Can Prevent a Collision
A recent incident on the streets of Prague provided a real-world demonstration of the technology. At InnoTrans, Škoda Digital presented footage of its anti-collision system responding to an incident in central Prague just two weeks earlier.
A car driven onto the tram tracks created a potential collision risk. The system immediately began calculating the speed of both vehicles and the distance between them. In this particular case, the tram driver reacted in time and applied the brakes, so the system determined that its own intervention was not necessary. In a more critical situation, however, where even a fraction-of-a-second delay could make a difference, the technology can activate the emergency brake itself and prevent a collision.
Saving 15% of Energy with a Smarter Approach
Safety is not the only potential benefit. Systems developed by Škoda Digital can reduce energy consumption by up to 15%. The difference in driving style between an average driver and a highly skilled one can be as much as 30%, according to the company. Digital systems can help narrow that gap by supporting more efficient driving. Another advantage is that these solutions do not require costly modifications to existing infrastructure.
At InnoTrans, Škoda Digital presented a mix of technologies that are already being deployed and further developments aimed at making urban transport safer, more connected and more energy-efficient.