Dubai Deploys AI Robots to Inspect Metro Tracks & Reduce Manual Labour

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered robot, ARIIS, to inspect tracks across the Dubai Metro network. The autonomous system is designed to conduct real-time monitoring of rail infrastructure without interrupting metro operations, significantly reducing the need for manual labour.

Equipped with LiDAR sensors, high-resolution lasers, and 3D cameras, ARIIS collects data on track alignment, surface degradation, and structural vibrations. The robot processes this data on the move, enabling faster and more frequent inspection cycles while allowing maintenance teams to identify and resolve issues before they lead to operational disruptions.

Since its deployment, ARIIS has reduced inspection-related labour hours from 2,400 to 700—a 75% decrease—according to the RTA. It has also improved diagnostic accuracy by 40%, contributing to smoother and more reliable metro services.

The initiative forms part of RTA’s wider efforts to integrate smart technology into Dubai’s transport systems. The Dubai Metro, which has been operated by Keolis MHI since its launch in 2009, remains one of the longest fully automated metro networks in the world. The introduction of ARIIS comes as the city prepares to expand the system further through the upcoming Blue Line extension.