ebulletin

December 3, 2025
Autonomous air-ground co-operative tunnel inspector
(HONG KONG) For the Trunk Road T2 & Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel project, the Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD) has applied innovative technologies including an autonomous air-ground co-operative tunnel inspector and a drilling robot.

Efficiency boost
Giving rein to the synergy of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and total-station positioning techniques, the autonomous air-ground co-operative tunnel inspector can automatically carry out all necessary tunnel inspections, covering tunnel linings and various tunnel internal structures in a safer, more efficient and cost-effective manner.
The system is equipped with ultra-high-definition cameras to automatically capture images of the tunnel’s internal structures. The aerial drone focuses on the upper half of the tunnel, while the unmanned ground vehicle focuses on the lower half, enabling 360-degree full coverage of the tunnel. These images are transmitted in real time to the AI module on the unmanned ground vehicle for defect detection.
Moreover, the system can instantly and accurately detect millimetre-level defects and generate electronic reports. The entire process is 23 times faster than conventional methods and reduces inspection costs by 50%.”

Rapid robots
In addition, the tunnel project employs an automatic drilling robot that improves efficiency by reducing time and labour costs.
CEDD representative explained that, in the past, before constructing the corbel for overhead ventilation duct slabs inside a tunnel, workers had to repeatedly carry out tasks such as chiselling the concrete surface, and positioning, drilling and installing anchor bolts, while working on elevated platforms.
Compared to traditional methods, which involve manual lifting and installation, the adoption of the Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing and drilling robot has reduced onsite labour requirements by 60% and shortened the associated construction time by 40%.