The Chinese City Where Robot Traffic Cops Direct Rush Hour

Hangzhou has deployed 1.88-meter T2 robots that use cameras, radar, AI, and articulated arms to help direct traffic and warn road users.

At busy intersections in Hangzhou, China, a 1.88-meter robot called T2 now helps direct traffic. Built by SUPCON, it combines cameras, radar, and onboard AI to spot red-light pedestrians and e-bike riders without helmets, give polite warnings, and move seven-jointed arms in step with the signals. Fifteen units have operated since May, and fresh humanoid traffic-robot tests ran during the October 4 National Day holiday.

The company says the robots have issued more than 170,000 warnings, though Reuters could not independently verify that total. The verified takeaway is unusual enough: these machines are already performing visible street duty, but they do not have arrest powers and their maker’s performance claims still deserve independent checking.