A futuristic robot traffic officer has begun duty in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, eastern China, bringing AI-powered precision to one of China’s leading tech hubs. Developed under the Hangzhou Traffic Police Tactical Unit, the “Hangxing No. 1” made its debut this week, launching a pilot run on city streets.

Equipped with high-definition cameras, sensors and an intelligent voice system, the robot can spot common traffic violations in real time and remind pedestrians and cyclists to follow the rules. “I just crossed the line less than half a metre when it alerted me,” said one pedestrian, while a motorcyclist noted that “I think it’s quite useful… I believe it will be a trend in the future”.

The robot can also synchronise with traffic lights to assist officers in guiding flows and maintaining order, with its flexible mobility allowing quick deployment at busy junctions. It currently operates in two modes, directing on the road and guiding at intersections. Authorities say the robot may later be upgraded with a large language model to offer voice interaction and command-control services.

Source: China Central Television