Rise of IoT & Big Data in Rail

Rise of IoT & Big Data in Rail

The Rise of IoT & Big Data in Rail returns to Cologne, Germany on 20 and 21 May 2026 for its ninth consecutive edition. Organised by Rotaia Media, the event is an established gathering for rail industry professionals focused on digital transformation, data-driven operations and the growing role of artificial intelligence across the sector.

About the Event

Now in its ninth year, the event has built a reputation as a focused meeting place for railway operators, infrastructure managers, engineers, technologists and strategists. Its format is designed to connect buyers with solution providers, facilitating practical discussion around the real-world application of IoT, big data and AI within the rail sector. The 2026 edition features an updated name to reflect the increasing prominence of AI alongside the established themes of IoT and data analytics.

The Conference

The conference programme covers the application of data technologies across rail operations and maintenance, with a particular emphasis on predictive maintenance and asset optimisation. Sessions examine how railways can move from time-based to condition-based maintenance, deploy digital twins, build big data platforms and extract actionable intelligence from trackside and on-board sensors. Broader topics include cyber security for IoT and operational technology environments, fleet and traffic management, and the organisational change required to support data-driven transformation.

Key Topics

Subject areas addressed across the programme include predictive maintenance at scale, machine learning and deep learning for failure anticipation, digital twin deployment, edge analytics, asset intelligence, data ownership and sharing, IoT in rail logistics and freight, and the skills and partnerships needed to deliver lasting digital change.

Networking and Format

Alongside the main conference sessions, the event includes a drinks reception, a networking dinner with live music, roundtable discussion groups and exclusive interviews with railway operators and their industry partners. These elements are designed to facilitate direct, informal engagement between attendees across operator, maintainer and supplier organisations.

Event Details

The Rise of IoT & Big Data in Rail takes place on 19 and 20 May 2026 in Cologne, Germany. The event is organised by Rotaia Media. Further information, including registration and partnership details, is available on the event website.