Hangzhou city officials have begun a pilot program that places autonomous traffic‑control robots at busy intersections. Developed by local technology company SUPCON Information, the 1.88‑meter‑tall T2 robot can spot helmet‑less e‑bike riders, e‑bikes carrying passengers, vehicles that stop over marked lines and pedestrians who cross against signals.
When a violation is detected, the robot issues a polite spoken warning and moves its seven‑jointed arms to mimic standard traffic‑police gestures synchronized with the traffic lights. The machines also answer questions about directions, parking and traffic rules, and an emergency function can connect users with local police if needed.
Operational details and early results
SUPCON says the robots use a combination of cameras, radar and onboard computing to identify violations. According to Cao Hui, head of SUPCON’s intelligent unmanned systems innovation centre, the system’s violation‑recognition accuracy exceeds 95 % under normal conditions, though strong sunlight, heavy rain or extreme temperatures can affect sensor performance.
Since May, SUPCON has deployed 15 robots in Hangzhou. The company reports that the units have issued more than 170,000 warnings and helped cut monthly incidents of helmet‑less riding and vehicles crossing stop lines by over 40 %. Hangzhou traffic police have not commented on the figures, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the data.
Design and deployment
The robots operate autonomously from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., moving between pre‑set positions at intersections without remote control. A central monitoring platform allows traffic‑police teams to track the robots and dispatch them as needed. SUPCON estimates that nearly 50 robots are now operating across about eight cities in three Chinese provinces, with a target of approaching 200 units by the end of the year.
Testing has included thousands of hours in tourist areas, school zones, business districts, rush‑hour traffic and adverse weather. Cao emphasizes that the goal is to replace post‑violation punishment with a timely reminder before unsafe habits become entrenched, noting that the robots “don’t get tired” and can work steadily for long periods.
Potential overseas interest and challenges
Chery‑backed robotics firm AiMOGA sees potential for similar police robots in markets where traffic officers face harsh roadside conditions, such as high temperatures in the Middle East or persistent rain in Southeast Asia. However, AiMOGA executive Zhang Guibing cautions that exporting the technology would be more complex than exporting a vehicle. Robots would need to integrate with local law‑enforcement IT systems, obtain appropriate certifications and comply with data‑protection regulations, especially given their use of cameras and other sensors.
The Hangzhou pilot reflects a broader Chinese industry push to move machines from exhibition showcases into practical public‑service roles. While the robots lack arrest powers or weapons, their ability to provide consistent, non‑fatiguing enforcement of traffic rules represents a new approach to urban safety management.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
