MÁV to deploy AI-powered drones for railway security

MÁV, the Hungarian state railway company, will introduce artificial intelligence-equipped drones to monitor its operational areas starting at the end of 2026. The initiative aims to enhance security at large railway junctions and storage sites, such as those in Budapest Ferencváros and Szolnok.

According to CEO Zsolt Hegyi, the technology is designed to detect suspicious movements and automatically alert security personnel. This measure addresses long-standing issues regarding property protection and personal safety. Hegyi noted that in the past year, unauthorized individuals climbed onto the roofs of stationary railway vehicles on ten separate occasions.

The deployment seeks to prevent both theft and fatal accidents. Unauthorized access to railway areas poses a severe risk of electrocution from high-voltage overhead lines, even without direct contact. The Hungarian-developed AI technology will identify critical movements to allow for faster intervention in both criminal attempts and life-threatening situations.