Unmanned metro to launch in 2017Beijing has announced plans to unveil the country’s first domestically developed, fully automated subway next year, in tandem with the scheduled opening of the Yanfang line. The operating system for the new line, which requires neither drivers nor attendants, is currently undergoing factory testing, and is expected to launch by the end of 2017. The benefits of a fully automated subway system include greater safety, better efficiency and a reduced workload for operators. China began research for the automated subway system in 2010, in accordance with the Made-in-China 2025 strategy, a 10-year national plan for intelligent manufacturing. Apart from the Yanfang line, at least four other lines, including Subway Lines 3, 12, 17 and 19, will use the automated system.

Source: Manila Bulletin August 29, 2016 08:26 UTC