Robot traffic officer goes on duty in China's Zhejiang

A futuristic robot traffic officer has been deployed on duty in the eastern Chinese tech hub of Hangzhou City, directing pedestrians and vehicles using artificial intelligence-powered operations.

The AI traffic management robot "Hangxing No.1," developed under the leadership of Hangzhou Traffic Police Tactical Unit (TPTU), made its debut on the streets of the capital city of Zhejiang Province, on Tuesday, marking the start of its trial run.

The robot is equipped with high-definition cameras and sensors, capable of capturing common traffic violations in real time and reminding pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles passing by to abide by traffic rules through an intelligent voice system.

"I just crossed the line less than half a meter when it alerted me. It responded promptly," said a pedestrian.

"When you see it, you will subconsciously stop at the waiting line like this. I think it's quite useful. It can save some police force costs. I believe it will be a trend in the future," a motorcyclist said.

Beyond identifying traffic violations, the Hangxing No. 1 can also synchronize with the signal lights to assist human officers in traffic guidance and order maintenance. Its flexible mobility enables rapid deployment across different intersections, enhancing traffic management efficiency.

"It now operates in two modes -- directing in the middle of the road and guiding at intersections," said Zhang Wanzhe, a police officer.

Currently, the AI traffic management robot is in the pilot phase. In the future, it is expected to be equipped with a large language model to provide convenient services such as voice interaction and command control.

Robot traffic officer goes on duty in China's Zhejiang

Exhibition booth construction for the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) began on Tuesday in Shanghai, ahead of the event scheduled to run from November 5 to 10.

The construction work is proceeding in an orderly manner at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, the main venue for the event, and some booths have already taken shape.

The Shanghai police have launched support operations to ensure a smooth and orderly preparation process. To prevent congestion caused by the concentrated arrival of heavy trucks, the police have optimized the freight vehicle entry process this year.

"We use remote security checks and waiting areas before freight vehicles enter the north square. This can avoid vehicle pile-ups in the north square and prevent traffic congestion on the roads surrounding the National Exhibition and Convention Center," said Li Lei, a police officer.

To further facilitate the expo, the police have reduced the closed management time and extended the setup period, allowing exhibitors to enter the venue earlier to build their booths.

The police have also increased patrol frequency to ensure safety and order throughout the preparation phase.

Construction of exhibition booths begins for 9th CIIE in Shanghai