Robots and AI drive next-generation tunnel construction in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is advancing tunnel construction through artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation in the Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel project—a major initiative aimed at improving productivity, precision, and worker safety.
According to OpenGov Asia, a key innovation is an autonomous air-ground cooperative tunnel inspector, integrating drones and robotic vehicles to perform fully automated tunnel inspections. Equipped with high-resolution imaging and AI analysis, the system detects defects with millimeter accuracy, completing inspections up to 20 times faster and at roughly half the cost of manual methods.
CEDD has also introduced a robotic drilling system for installing ventilation duct slabs, using laser-guided positioning and automatic dust extraction, OpenGov Asia reported. The technology has reduced onsite labor by 60% and shortened construction time by 40%, significantly improving safety by limiting manual work at height.
These advances reflect Hong Kong’s broader strategy to embed robotics and smart technologies in public works, supported by government incentives for both public and private sectors. The CEDD’s efforts mark a significant step toward technology-driven infrastructure delivery, establishing Hong Kong as a leader in applying AI and robotics to large-scale underground construction.
Related News
From Archive
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short
- $2.3 billion approved to construct 236-mile Texas-to-Gulf gas pipeline
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
- Tulsa residents warned after sewer lines damaged by boring work
Comments