On January 21, Hefei Metro unveiled Anhui's first full‑space intelligent robot dispatch platform and simultaneously launched nine robotic application schemes. Robotic dogs patrolling stations, humanoid robots answering questions face‑to‑face, and drones inspecting train roofs — these sci‑fi scenes once seen in films are gradually entering Hefei Metro's operational scenarios.

Robots + Drones Say Goodbye to "Climbing High and Crawling Underneath"

Inside the Binhu Zhujiang Road train inspection depot, a drone hovers precisely above a train roof to inspect the pantograph; at the same time, an inspection robot weaves beneath the train, using high‑precision cameras to scan critical components from all angles. Their coordinated, simultaneous work forms a vivid picture of intelligent inspection.

"In the past, train maintenance required staff to crawl under the train to inspect bogies and braking systems and to climb onto the roof to check pantographs and rooftop equipment, which was time‑consuming and physically demanding," said Dai Rong, head of the Sci‑Ed Center's Innovation Office at Hefei Metro.

Today, smart technology has solved this problem: under‑carriage robots can autonomously traverse beneath trains, using high‑definition cameras and ultrasonic sensors to capture cracks, loose bolts, and other safety hazards from all angles; roof‑mounted drones are agile and precise in detecting subtle anomalies in rooftop equipment.

Working in tandem, they can complete comprehensive train inspections without manual climbing or crawling, with expected inspection efficiency increases of over 50% and detection accuracy reaching 96%, building an indestructible "intelligent barrier" for train safety.

Currently, the "under‑carriage robot + roof drone" coordinated inspection model has been deployed at the Nangang Depot on Line 2 and the Beicheng Depot on Line 8.

Dai added that this model, by using robots to assist human work, enables "early detection and early handling" of safety hazards and drives a qualitative leap in Hefei Metro's operational safety assurance capabilities.

Robot Teams on Duty Provide Seamless Convenience Services

Inspection robotic dogs, humanoid service robots, and cleaning robots will work in teams, each performing its role in coordinated operation — a scene set to appear at Yungu Lu Station on Line 5 and the USTC East District Station, where automation will replace some tedious manual tasks and bring a new experience to commuters.

"At the press release, Luo Lei, senior manager at the Sci‑Ed Center of Hefei Metro Group, said: 'Smart stations empowered by robot teams can offer integrated services — intelligent inquiries, route guidance, safety patrols, and environmental cleaning — reshaping station operations and making passengers' journeys convenient, worry‑free, and welcoming.'"

Inspection robotic dogs focus on equipment patrols to safeguard public safety; humanoid service robots accurately respond to citizens' needs by providing inquiries and route guidance; cleaning robots autonomously carry out sweeping tasks to keep stations clean. "Robot‑led automated inspections, supporting traditional manual methods, can greatly reduce time and labor costs while significantly improving inspection efficiency," Luo said.

Intelligent Inspection Robots Fill Tunnel Maintenance Gaps

Beyond passenger‑level maintenance and station service scenarios, Hefei Metro's intelligent inspection innovations also extend to special areas such as track zones.

Luo introduced that pilot work for inspection robots will start on the segment between Library Station and Swan Lake Station on Line 4 to solve tunnel inspection challenges.

In traditional tunnel inspections, staff must ride track engineering vehicles during the limited nighttime window and rely on visual checks to identify tunnel structure issues, track conditions, and damaged cables alongside the track — a process constrained by working conditions and prone to human oversight.

"Now, inspection robots, relying on an air‑ground linkage model and integrating advanced technologies such as infrared thermal imaging and 3D laser scanning, can autonomously shuttle along the tracks. Their HD cameras and infrared sensors can accurately capture temperature anomalies and crack changes in tunnel structures," Luo said. This intelligent inspection system achieves full coverage and high‑precision detection of track‑area facilities and directly addresses the variable and complex pain points of tunnel maintenance.

Intelligent Dispatch Platform Orchestrates Robots Across the Entire Domain

The launch of the full‑space robot intelligent dispatch platform marks Hefei Metro's formal entry into a new smart stage of "digital empowerment + robot collaboration."

The platform can not only substitute humans for repetitive, high‑intensity, and high‑risk tasks, but also, through real‑time data collection and intelligent algorithm analysis, enable fault early warning, resource optimization, and service upgrades. It will drive rail transit operations to leap from being "human‑centric" to "intelligently autonomous," making the metro smarter and safer with the "robot corps" and achieving breakthroughs in operational efficiency, safety standards, and service quality.

Source: Hefei Evening News