Korea Railroad Develops and Demonstrates 'Autonomous Driving Robot' for Railway Facility Inspection

Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 5th that it recently developed an AI-based ‘Autonomous Railway Facility Inspection Robot’ (hereinafter referred to as the Autonomous Inspection Robot) and held a demonstration event.

Han Moon-hee, President of Korea Railroad Corporation (third from the right), is attending the demonstration of the autonomous inspection robot for railway facilities held on the afternoon of the 4th at the Daejeon Facility Equipment Office, observing the robot's functions. Provided by Korea Railroad Corporation

The Autonomous Inspection Robot is equipped with LTE communication network, cameras, and Lidar sensors, allowing it to travel along the tracks to designated locations. When it detects cracks in facilities or obstacles that interfere with train operations, it sends real-time alerts and video footage to operators.

KORAIL plans to utilize this robot to conduct preliminary inspections of track conditions in areas where train operations are difficult due to typhoons, heavy rain, or where operator access is dangerous.

Through this, it is expected that rapid and safe inspections will be possible, leading to accident prevention and improved work efficiency at railway sites.

KORAIL plans to conduct trial operations of the Autonomous Inspection Robot until the end of this year and commercialize it in the first half of next year.

Han Mun-hee, President of KORAIL, stated, “By introducing advanced technologies such as AI-based robots, we will enhance the efficiency of maintenance at railway sites to ensure safe train operations.”