The first AI escalator step detector is put into use in the Beijing-Hong Kong subway

China News Service, Beijing, May 20th The first AI escalator step detector in the domestic rail transit field was officially put into use in the Beijing-Hong Kong Subway. This equipment combines line laser and AI intelligent technology, integrates four core detection functions, and supports six intelligent fault identifications. It can accurately collect surface data of escalator steps while efficiently analyzing and judging their health status, achieving full coverage of the step operating status, automated detection, and real-time dynamic diagnosis. It only takes 3 minutes to fully inspect a single escalator. Compared with the manual comprehensive inspection plus status judgment mode, the efficiency is increased by 30 times and the inspection accuracy is increased by 10 times. It effectively improves the safety level of the equipment and provides more reliable safety guarantee for passengers traveling on the subway.

The first AI escalator step detector in the domestic rail transit field has been officially put into use in the Beijing-Hong Kong subway. Photo by reporter Jia Tianyong

Full coverage and millimeter-level precision scanning, improving detection accuracy by 10 times

Escalators are mainly responsible for transporting passengers and guiding passenger flow in subway stations. They are one of the important facilities for passengers in subway travel. The escalator steps are the area where passengers stand directly. Their health and smooth operation are important foundations for the safe operation of the escalator. Traditional escalator step status inspection mainly relies on manual inspection using feeler gauges one by one when the escalator is stopped, which is time-consuming and has great room for improvement in inspection coverage and accuracy.

The AI ​​escalator step detector put into use by the Beijing-Hong Kong Metro this time has effectively solved the pain points of traditional detection. The detector is equipped with multiple sets of 3D laser profile sensors, which can scan the steps with high precision. During the operation of the escalator, it can dynamically capture key parameters such as comb teeth meshing size, step clearance, and flatness in real time. The measurement accuracy reaches ±0.1 mm, which is more than 10 times higher than the traditional manual use of trapezoidal feeler gauges.

Real-time dynamic and efficient operation, detection efficiency increased by 30 times

Different from the traditional manual inspection mode that requires repeated starting and stopping of the escalator and manual step-by-step visual inspection and troubleshooting, the AI escalator step detector can simultaneously complete the entire process of inspection while the escalator is in operation, more intuitively and effectively detecting its health status and stability. A comprehensive inspection of a single escalator only takes 3 minutes, which is nearly 100 minutes compared to the manual comprehensive inspection plus status judgment mode, which effectively increases the detection efficiency by more than 30 times. In addition, the detector can also generate standardized diagnostic reports in real time, achieving "instant measurement and knowing" and effectively optimizing the maintenance process.

The first AI escalator step detector in the domestic rail transit field has been officially put into use in the Beijing-Hong Kong subway. Photo by reporter Jia Tianyong

Focus on front-line operation and maintenance needs and innovative technologies to assist travel services

In terms of practicality and convenience, the detector adopts a portable protective box design and is equipped with modular hardware, which can be adapted to a variety of maintenance scenarios. The operation interface is simple and intuitive, and operation and maintenance personnel can quickly get started. At the same time, the detector is equipped with intelligent analysis software that can quickly process massive data, automatically mark defect levels, generate intuitive and clear inspection reports, and support historical data comparison and trend analysis, providing a basis for decision-making on maintenance strategies.

Liu Qiming, project manager of Beijing-Hong Kong Metro, said that in recent years, Beijing-Hong Kong Metro has continued to integrate new technologies into subway scenarios, focusing on the actual needs of front-line operations and maintenance, and constantly promoting technological innovation, research, development and application, including the first innovative application of track intelligent comprehensive inspection vehicles in the field of rail transit to achieve efficient integration of track inspection and rail flaw detection; the lightweight contact line continuous wear meter, which has two national invention and utility model patents, will be used in normal maintenance operations of the contact network to comprehensively improve operation and maintenance efficiency and operational safety levels. The introduction of the AI ​​escalator step detector has improved operational safety and passenger travel experience. In the future, Beijing-Hong Kong Metro will actively promote the research and development and application of multi-professional intelligent operation and maintenance systems for vehicles, signals, and tracks, contribute to the high-quality development of urban rail transit, and provide passengers with safer and more comfortable travel services. (over)