China Deploys T2 Traffic Robots in Hangzhou Pilot Project

The city of Hangzhou has deployed humanoid robots called T2 to manage traffic at busy intersections. Developed by the technology firm SUPCON Information, the robots stand 1.88 meters tall and weigh 98 kilograms. They use cameras, radar, and onboard computing to identify traffic violations, such as e-bike riders without helmets, vehicles crossing stop lines, and pedestrians crossing against signals. When a violation is detected, the robot issues a polite warning. The T2 robots can also provide directions, answer questions about parking and traffic rules, and connect users to local police via an emergency function.

According to SUPCON, 15 robots have been active in Hangzhou since May. The company claims these machines have issued over 170,000 warnings and contributed to a reduction of more than 40 percent in monthly cases of helmetless riding and stop line violations. However, Reuters noted that these figures could not be independently verified, and Hangzhou traffic police did not respond to requests for comment. SUPCON reports that the robots operate autonomously from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have a violation recognition accuracy exceeding 95 percent.

SUPCON says nearly 50 robots are currently operating across eight cities in three provinces, with plans to reach 200 deployments by the end of the year. While some industry observers see potential for exporting these robots to markets with harsh weather conditions, such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, they note that data protection rules and local IT certifications present significant hurdles.

Outlets with a center lean focused on the specific limitation that these robots lack arrest powers. Outlets with a center left lean framed the development as part of a broader industrial push to move humanoid robots from exhibition floors into practical, real world jobs.