The "Flexible rail bus for rural areas (FlexSbus-LR)" project is developing a lightweight, flexible, energy self-sufficient and locally emission-free rail vehicle for passenger transportation in rural areas.
The autonomous driving units enable cost-effective and environment-friendly transportation, especially on non-electrified secondary routes.
Thanks to its modern surrounding field detection and route monitoring system as well as its significantly improved braking capacity compared to conventional rail vehicles, the rail bus has a high level of active safety, coupled with energy absorption devices to ensure passive safety.
Air springs and a fully air-conditioned lightweight cabin with large windows and doors offer a high level of comfort.
All technical supply systems are modular and are located in the chassis.
If the cab with its secondary suspension is removed, the chassis can also be used as a self-driving container wagon in the future.

As a consortium partner in this research project, ISATEC is responsible for the design and calculation of the entire vehicle structure. The unusual structure of the chassis to meet the special safety requirements, the innovative single-axle undercarriage and the passenger cell, which is modeled on the design of a bus, were all developed at ISATEC from the rough concept to the production drawing. Our contribution to this project is rounded off by the packaging and modularization of components.

Are you curious? Visit us at the Innotrans 2024 and have a look at our prototype. We appreciate your interest!