Seibu Railway tests physical AI robots for substation inspections

Seibu Railway has launched a demonstration experiment using the “ugo mini,” a domestically produced physical AI-equipped robot, to inspect electrical substations. The trial, which began on October 1 and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2027, is currently being conducted at the Ikebukuro Substation in Tokyo.

The initiative aims to address labor shortages and reduce the travel time required for maintenance staff. By deploying the autonomous robot to reside at the substation, employees can monitor equipment remotely, allowing them to redirect time previously spent traveling to more complex tasks like repair planning and data analysis.

The ugo mini is a 16kg wheeled robot equipped with 4K cameras, 3D LiDAR for autonomous navigation, and thermal sensors. It can read analog and digital meters, record temperature, and detect anomalies. Unlike traditional manual inspections conducted twice a month, the robot performs automated patrols three times a day, providing more frequent data collection and enabling a shift toward condition-based maintenance.