OTIV.ai is a Belgian deep-tech company headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, that develops AI-driven technology to transform rail operations through assisted, remote-control, and autonomous solutions. Founded in 2020 by Sam De Smet and Niels Van Damme, the company’s mission is to enhance rail safety, efficiency and sustainability while accelerating the shift from road to rail—one of the most climate-friendly modes of transport.OTIV’s modular platform helps operators progress from manual rail handling to assisted driving, remote supervision, and ultimately full autonomy. Its product suite includes systems like: real-time camera solutions for improved visibility in shunting and industrial environments; advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that use cameras and LiDAR to detect obstacles and support collision avoidance; remote supervision and control centers for fleet-wide management; and complete autonomous driving technology for 24/7 operations across urban tram networks, industrial yards, and mainline freight or passenger railways.Working with major industry players and operators across Europe and beyond, OTIV addresses key challenges such as rail employee safety, labor shortages, network reliability and cost-efficiency, enabling smarter, safer rail workflows. The company’s solutions are designed to retrofit existing fleets and integrate with diverse rail infrastructures, accelerating adoption without waiting for new rolling stock.OTIV’s rapid growth and innovation have earned it significant recognition: it was named the fastest-growing technology company in Belgium by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 in 2025, and recently raised substantial growth funding to expand commercial deployment and further develop fully autonomous rail technologies.