Chinese engineers have revolutionized underground infrastructure development with a new artificial intelligence system for tunnel boring machines (TBMs), enhancing safety and precision in major urban projects. Researchers from Hunan University and China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co., Ltd announced the breakthrough this week, marking a leap forward in autonomous construction technology.
The intelligent operating system acts as a real-time risk prevention tool, analyzing geological data through embedded sensors to predict hazards like ground collapse or equipment malfunctions. Professor Chen Renpeng, who led the research, explained: "This system enables TBMs to autonomously adjust digging parameters with millimeter-level precision – a capability far beyond human operators' reaction times."
Field tests in Shanghai's metro expansion project demonstrated remarkable results, achieving 90% decision-making accuracy and maintaining tunneling direction deviations under 30 millimeters. In Guangzhou applications, the technology boosted equipment efficiency by 12% and accelerated monthly progress by 5%, while reducing maintenance downtime through predictive diagnostics.
The China Highway and Transportation Society has endorsed the innovation as a transformative industry standard. Researchers plan to adapt the technology for complex underwater tunnel projects, potentially reshaping infrastructure development patterns across the Chinese mainland.
Professor Zhang Chao emphasized the global implications: "This isn't just about bigger machines – it's about creating smarter infrastructure networks that can adapt to geological challenges in real time." The development comes as Chinese cities accelerate subway system expansions, with 45 new urban rail projects approved nationwide in 2026 alone.
