RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – State‑owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has partnered with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to advance railway technology. A key focus of the collaboration is developing an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system to improve operational safety.

The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding during the BRIN Goes to Industry 5 event in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen research and technology utilization in the national transportation sector.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuliot Tanjung, said collaboration between government, research institutions, universities, and businesses is crucial to Indonesia’s industrial transformation. He emphasized that research and innovation are needed to boost competitiveness and produce technology that meets national needs.

“As we enter the Industry 5.0 era, we must harness digital technology and artificial intelligence while also strengthening human resources. This collaboration is expected to drive sustainable economic growth,” Yuliot said.

KAI’s Director of Portfolio Management and Information Technology, I Gede Darmayusa, stressed that safety is the company’s top priority in every technological development.

“Safety is a primary consideration in every technology adoption process at KAI. This gives us the opportunity to test various research‑based technological alternatives to establish a strong technical, operational, and safety foundation,” he said.

The ATP system is designed to prevent trains from passing stop signals, monitor travel speed, and provide operational information to drivers. I Gede noted that ATP development requires thorough study and testing to adapt to Indonesia’s railway characteristics and integrate with existing infrastructure and equipment.

KAI and BRIN will apply the Proof of Product method in the initial stage, testing the system’s functions, integration, and performance under operational conditions that mimic service. The testing will also identify potential risks, adjustments, and regulatory readiness.

“Proof of Product allows technology to be assessed in relevant operational situations. KAI can understand the technology’s functions, interfaces, integration needs, potential risks, and maintainability from the outset before wider implementation,” I Gede said.

ATP development will be carried out in stages until 2027, including concept development, technology validation through field testing, and safety evaluation before broader adoption.

I Gede hopes that the collaboration with BRIN will produce technology tailored to national railway operations. “The ultimate goal is to build an increasingly independent and adaptive Indonesian railway innovation ecosystem. This is expected to support travel safety and reliability in the long term,” said I Gede. ***