BENTELER acquires Deutsche Bahn company ioki, creating first European full-service provider for autonomous mobility

BENTELER acquires Deutsche Bahn company ioki, creating first European full-service provider for autonomous mobility

(Salzburg/Frankfurt, January 5, 2026) Unique group of companies accelerating the mobility transition: Autonomous vehicles, operational services and software-based mobility solutions “made in Europe” from a single source • Integrated approach simplifies the rollout and operation of autonomous fleets for cities and transport operators • New growth opportunities for all companies involved

Perspectives from Jens Kukuk, Operations Manager at DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbH

Perspectives from Jens Kukuk, Operations Manager at DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbH

Simple, flexible, dependable – high demands are placed on both the control centre and the drivers in bus operations. It is helpful when you can count on reliable software for route management and navigation. Since December 2023, our ioki Route software has been in operation in Speyer. We spoke with Jens Kukuk, Operations Manager at DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbH, about their experience with ioki Route. He explains how the software has changed the daily working routine of drivers on their bus routes and shares his insights from over a year of practical implementation.

What is a Mobility Simulation?

What is a Mobility Simulation?

Mobility simulations are digital tools that show how people move around a city or region. In Germany, with its population of over 80 million people, traffic is so complex that we can never capture it completely. Mobility simulations help us build a comprehensive picture despite this challenge.

Perspectives from Julian Renninger (SBB) and Christine Mauelshagen (Swiss Transit Lab)

Perspectives from Julian Renninger (SBB) and Christine Mauelshagen (Swiss Transit Lab)

At the end of November 2024, the Canton of Zurich and SBB announced a pilot project for automated driving in public transport in Furttal near Zurich. The aim of the project is to gain practical insights into automated mobility services in public transport. The Swiss Transit Lab is responsible for the project management. As ioki, we provide the on-demand software for the future project. In our latest “Perspectives from” we talk to the project managers Julian Renninger (SBB) and Christine Mauelshagen (Swiss Transit Lab) about the most recent project for autonomous driving in Switzerland.

What is a railway station of the future?

What is a railway station of the future?

Railway stations of the future (known in German as ‘Zukunftsbahnhöfe’) are modern mobility hubs that go far beyond the classic function of a train station. Deutsche Bahn is developing stations across Germany into these innovative mobility hubs as part of its ‘Zukunftsbahnhof’ programme, focused on three key characteristics: customer-oriented for greater attractiveness, high-performing to accommodate more travellers, and sustainable in construction and operation. As part of this targeted modernisation programme, selected stations are being developed into attractive transport hubs according to uniform standards.