On June 7, 2023 local time, the commencement ceremony of the driverless high-speed subway manufacturing project undertaken by CRRC was held in Ankara, Türkiye. CRRC will cooperate with 13 Turkish enterprises to complete the manufacturing task of the first 60 locomotives in Türkiye. After leaving the factory, the vehicles are expected to be put into use in the subway of Istanbul Airport Line, becoming the first driverless subway line in Türkiye, which also marks the entry of Chinese driverless subway technology into Türkiye.

These driverless high-speed subway trains were developed by CRRC's Zhuzhou Electric locomotive Co., Ltd., with a maximum operating speed of 120 kilometers per hour and a maximum passenger capacity of 1100 people. The train has a high level of intelligence and adopts the international highest level GoA4 fully automatic operation system, eliminating the driver's cab. It can complete tasks such as unmanned starting, parking, carrying passengers, and maintenance, meeting the needs of various unmanned driving scenarios and achieving "self running, self returning, self inspection, and self repair". In addition, the newly developed frame controlled traction system can effectively adapt to the local climbing needs of large slopes, allowing the train to demonstrate excellent performance of stability, high-speed, and comfort during operation.

Istanbul Airport Line is the first high-speed subway line in Türkiye. As an important transportation link between the airport and the city center, the daily average traffic volume can reach 800000 person times. The introduction of driverless high-speed subway technology into Türkiye will not only benefit people's travel, but also promote the localization of Chinese technology and Chinese enterprises. According to Li Yangyang, general manager of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Türkiye Branch, the company focuses on win-win cooperation with local companies in procurement, manufacturing, operation, maintenance and other aspects. The localization rate of this train manufacturing project reached 60%, creating more than 200 jobs, which will directly promote the development of local rail transit industry. Editor/Zhao E