China is deploying humanoid robots to help manage traffic, with the machines directing vehicles, identifying violations and warning road users but lacking the power to make arrests.

In the eastern city of Hangzhou, a 1.88-metre robot developed by local technology firm SUPCON Information has been deployed at busy intersections as part of a pilot programme aimed at taking over some of the repetitive duties performed by traffic officers.

The 98kg robot, known as T2, uses cameras, radar and onboard computing to identify violations including riding an e-bike without a helmet, carrying passengers on e-bikes, stopping vehicles beyond marked lines and crossing roads against traffic signals.

The robots can also provide information about directions, parking and traffic rules. An emergency function allows users to contact local police.

Their mechanical arms mimic standard traffic-police gestures and move in sync with traffic signals.

SUPCON has deployed 15 robots in Hangzhou since May. The company said they have issued more than 170,000 warnings and helped reduce monthly cases of helmetless riding and vehicles crossing stop lines by more than 40%.

Reuters could not independently verify the figures, while Hangzhou traffic police did not respond to a request for comment.

Designed to work without breaks

The company has tested the robots for thousands of hours in tourist areas, school zones, business districts and during rush-hour traffic and poor weather, according to Cao Hui, head of SUPCON’s intelligent unmanned systems innovation centre.

The robots use cameras and radar to identify violations, although strong sunlight, rain and extreme temperatures can affect their performance. SUPCON said their violation-recognition accuracy exceeds 95%.

Cao said the goal was to remind people about traffic violations before poor behaviour becomes habitual, rather than relying solely on punishment after an offence.

The robots operate autonomously from 7am to 6pm, moving between pre-set positions at intersections without remote control. Traffic police can monitor and dispatch them through a central platform.

SUPCON said nearly 50 of the robots are now operating across about eight cities in three Chinese provinces, with deployments expected to approach 200 by the end of the year.

Export prospects face challenges

Chinese robotics companies are also looking at overseas markets for traffic robots.

AiMOGA, a robotics company backed by Chery, sees potential in regions where traffic officers face difficult roadside conditions, including high temperatures in the Middle East and prolonged rainy seasons in Southeast Asia.

However, the company said deploying the robots abroad would be more complicated than exporting vehicles.

According to AiMOGA executive Zhang Guibing, the machines would need to integrate with local law-enforcement IT systems, obtain relevant certifications and comply with data-protection regulations.

The use of cameras and other sensors could make data-protection requirements particularly important for overseas deployments.