How MOXZ’s Technology Could Make Berlin’s U-bahn Arrival Times More Reliable

A new pilot project on Berlin’s U2 underground line is testing real-time train tracking technology designed to improve arrival time accuracy. 

The initiative, led by the Berlin-based startup MOXZ in collaboration with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), aims to locate trains with meter-level precision—without relying on GPS or direct line of sight.

The system uses a specialized radio waveform developed by MOXZ, which operates effectively in highly reflective environments such as tunnels. This technology, known as Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), measures the propagation times of radio signals to determine the exact position, speed, and arrival time of trains. 

According to Philipp Walk, CEO and Co-Founder of MOXZ, the approach requires fewer devices than traditional sensor-based systems, simplifying implementation and reducing infrastructure costs.

Over the next few months, MOXZ will install radio devices along the U2 line to continuously track train movements. The data collected will be used to update platform displays in real time, providing passengers with more accurate arrival information. Eventually, this data will also be integrated into in-train displays, further improving the reliability of travel updates.

The project is part of a broader effort to enhance public transport efficiency using advanced communication technologies. MOXZ is supported by Fraunhofer HHI’s xG Incubator, which focuses on developing 6G solutions within Berlin’s research and startup ecosystem. The goal is to create robust, infrastructure-independent systems that can operate in challenging environments like underground tunnels.