An artificial intelligence (AI)-powered traffic robot is now operating on the streets of Hangzhou, China.
Dubbed Hangxing No. 1, the 1.8-meter humanoid stands at the intersection of Binsheng Road and Changhe Road in the Binjiang district. There, it directs traffic, detects violations and issues polite voice warnings.
Source: YouTube/CCTV
Developed by the Hangzhou Traffic Police Tactical Unit, Hangxing No.1 is equipped with cameras, sensors and gesture-based signaling. The robot is reportedly designed to support human officers during peak traffic hours. Programmed to mimic real-life police officer movements — such as signals to stop, proceed straight or wait — the robot can also sound a digital whistle and synchronize its instructions with the existing traffic-light network.
In addition to signaling drivers, Hangxing No. can monitor compliance in real time, detecting common violations such as riders without helmets, motorists crossing stop lines and jaywalkers. When the robot detects an infraction, Hangxing No.1 will issue a calm, pre-recorded reminder intended to correct behavior without confrontation.
Powered by a swappable battery system that delivers around 6 to 8 hours of operation, Hangxing No. 1 operates under an integrated software system that monitors its surroundings constantly. Meanwhile, cameras feed live images into an AI model capable of detecting issues such as vehicles running stop signs, pedestrians crossing red lights or cyclists heading into unsafe zones.
Once a violation is detected, it is logged and forwarded to a police database. Over time, the robot’s decision-making is expected to improve as engineers review rush-hour footage to fine-tune its judgment and reduce false triggers such as those caused by shadows and wind, which occasionally confuse the system.
To see the humanoid in action, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of CCTV.
