RTA is using AI-driven robots to inspect the Dubai Metro
The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai is now using robots to inspect the Dubai Metro infrastructure.
A new AI-driven robotic inspection system is now in place on the Dubai Metro's railway tracks to maintain the RTA's high safety standards.
The Automated Rail Infrastructure Inspection System (ARIIS) will make inspections quicker and more accurate by using sensors, lasers and 3D cameras.
It will allow inspections to be carried out 75 percent quicker, according to the RTA, and means that the authority's staff won't need to physically be on railway lines. Work that would take 2,400 man-hours now takes 700 hours.
Inspections can now be carried out without disrupting Dubai Metro operations.
The system uses light detection and ranging scanning technology to assess the condition of railway infrastructure. Once data is scanned, it is then analysed using AI.
The Dubai Metro's new AI-driven robot inspector (Credit: Dubai Media Office)
The system means that there will be a reduction by up to 70 percent in manual inspections and the capability of assessing infrastructure more effectively by 40 percent.
The RTA says it will help eliminate challenges such as traditional inspection methods, limited visibility of asset performance, difficulty in predicting asset performance, potential for human errors and limited times for maintenance.
Abdul Mohsin Kalbat, CEO of RTA's Rail Agency, said that the new system makes the Dubai Metro even more reliable.
He said: 'Dubai is proud to lead in smart solutions to improve reliability and efficiency of Dubai Metro.
'The introduction of ARIIS represents another significant leap in our journey to maintain our Metro as one of the most advanced and safest public transportation networks globally.'
David Franks, Managing Director of Keolis MHI said: : 'ARIIS is a milestone achievement, significantly transforming our maintenance operations by improving safety, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. It's a game-changer for rail infrastructure management in Dubai.'
It is the latest futuristic tech to be introduced on the Dubai Metro, following the launch of a new integrated digital platform to inspect passenger violations on board earlier in 2025.
The new system is in line with the RTA's Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, which aims to use AI to cut travel time by up to 30 percent in the next five years.
The new system is targeted towards identifying passengers sitting in the wrong zones – particularly those who shouldn't be in female-only cabins or gold cabins.
And in May, the RTA also began trialling drone technology when cleaning metro and tram stations.
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