KNORR-BREMSE VASUTI JARMU RENDSZEREK HUNGARIA KORLATOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG

Their core work

Knorr-Bremse Hungary is the Hungarian rail vehicle systems division of the Knorr-Bremse Group, a global leader in braking systems and onboard equipment for rail vehicles. They develop and manufacture braking systems, traction components, door and entrance systems, HVAC, and interior modules for trains. In H2020, they contributed specialized industrial expertise in brakes, SiC-based traction drives, and vehicle subsystems to large-scale European rail innovation programs, primarily under the Shift2Rail initiative.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 work (2016–2018) concentrated on core traction and braking R&D — SiC traction development, brake adhesion modelling, and noise reduction tools under the PINTA and FR8RAIL II projects. In the later period (2018–2023), the focus broadened to include complete vehicle subsystems such as carbody shells, doors, HVAC, and modular interiors (PIVOT2), alongside continued traction work with high-speed train motors (PINTA2). This signals a shift from component-level R&D toward integrated vehicle system expertise.

Moving from component-specific braking and traction research toward full vehicle system integration, including interiors, doors, and HVAC — positioning themselves as a broader rail systems partner.

How they like to work

Knorr-Bremse Hungary participates exclusively as a third party in all four projects, meaning they contribute specialized industrial expertise and testing capabilities through a linked partner rather than leading or directly managing project work. With 62 unique consortium partners across 10 countries, they are well-connected within the European rail innovation ecosystem, particularly within Shift2Rail projects. Their consistent third-party role suggests they function as an industrial validation and product development contributor rather than a research driver.

Connected to 62 unique partners across 10 countries through Shift2Rail-affiliated projects, giving them broad reach within Europe's rail research and manufacturing community. Their network likely includes major rail OEMs, infrastructure managers, and research institutes active in the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking.

What sets them apart

As the Hungarian arm of Knorr-Bremse — the world's leading manufacturer of rail braking systems — this entity brings direct industrial manufacturing and product development capability that most research-oriented H2020 partners cannot match. They are one of very few organizations that can contribute real-world expertise across brakes, traction, doors, HVAC, and interiors simultaneously. For consortium builders, they offer a direct line to a global OEM's validation and testing infrastructure in Central Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PINTA2
  Phase 2 of traction and braking R&D, specifically targeting SiC-based independently driven motors for high-speed trains — a key technology for next-generation rail propulsion.
• PIVOT2
  Broadest scope of their projects, covering carbody, running gear, brakes, doors, interiors, and HVAC — demonstrating full vehicle system capability.
• FR8RAIL II
  Their only freight-focused project, addressing digitalization, electrification of long trains, and condition-based maintenance — showing reach beyond passenger rail.