Israel Railways makes waves at CES 2026

In a bold step onto the world stage of cutting-edge technology, Israel Railways wrapped up its first-ever appearance at CES 2026 in Las Vegas with resounding success, drawing crowds of industry leaders, investors, and innovators to its booth in the Israel National Pavilion.

The national rail operator stunned attendees by demonstrating real-world deployments of transformative AI and sensor technologies that promise to make railways safer, faster, more sustainable—and far less disruptive to build and maintain. From obstacle-detecting cameras that spot hazards in real time to railcar-mounted systems that "see" underground utilities without digging, Israel Railways positioned itself as a surprising global leader at the intersection of traditional rail infrastructure and futuristic smart mobility.

Explosive passenger growth meets game-changing tech

Israel Railways is on the cusp of explosive expansion: annual ridership has already reached 70 million passengers, with projections soaring to 155 million in just five years and 300 million by 2040. To handle this surge without massive new construction, the company is aggressively partnering with Israeli startups to integrate AI-driven solutions into its network.

"We are not just building tracks—we are building the future of connected, intelligent transportation," said Adv. Moshe Shimoni, Chairman of Israel Railways. "By opening our systems to world-class innovation, we've accelerated development dramatically. We're actively seeking disruptive startups globally to collaborate and scale these technologies."

Standout innovations steal the spotlight

RailVision's AI Safety Systems — With systems already running on Israel’s main lines, RailVision delivers real-time obstacle detection, slashing accident risks and boosting efficiency. Rail Vision CEO David BenDavid attended the event to highlight the proven operational value of real-time hazard detection for resilient, safer, and more efficient rail operations.

Exodigo's Rail-Mounted Underground Mapping — In a world-first adaptation, Exodigo's AI-powered remote-sensing platform is now mounted directly on railcars, generating precise 3D digital models of buried utilities and infrastructure beneath the tracks. This breakthrough eliminates costly "blind" digging, speeds up projects, cuts expenses, and minimizes service interruptions in dense urban areas. Exodigo CEO, Jeremy Suard, emphasized its role in enabling faster, safer rail expansion while supporting sustainable urban growth.

DirecTrains' Dynamic Coupling/Decoupling technology at high speeds (DC) — Alberto (Tito) Mandler, CEO of DirecTrains, has been an innovative partner performing measurements and tests with Israel Railways to verify compatibility of DC for nearly five years. “Our innovation allows trains to couple and decouple at high-speeds, effectively doubling line capacity without laying new tracks —delivering major efficiency gains and flexibility within existing infrastructure.”

Broader vision: Regional connectivity and global impact

Acting CEO Avi Elmaliach tied the tech showcase to larger geopolitical and economic ambitions, spotlighting the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)—a massive proposed trade route linking India to Europe via Gulf ports, rail through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and Israel's Port of Haifa. "Our rail expansions aren't just domestic, they form critical links to neighboring countries, fostering peace, trade, and economic growth across the region," Elmaliach said.

Innovation Lead, Hagay Rozenfeld, positioned Israel Railways as an open innovation hub: "I'm the connector. Show me diamonds in productive innovation—AI, sensors, anything disruptive—and if it's good enough, I can help make it happen for passengers, partners, and the world."

Tangible momentum from CES 2026

The four-day January event sparked high-level discussions with rail operators from Europe, Asia, and North America, plus dozens of delegations and hundreds of visitors. Early talks point to potential international pilots for AI hazard detection, real-time security monitoring in train cars, and advanced track visualization.

As cities worldwide race toward sustainable, smart mobility, Israel Railways' CES 2026 debut signals a new era – where national rail systems evolve into AI-powered backbones of interconnected urban futures.