HONG KONG, October 2025 — Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation is pioneering the use of drone technology to significantly improve the efficiency and speed of railway tunnel inspections, a critical aspect of maintaining Asia’s extensive rail infrastructure.

The rail operator is testing drones for tasks such as automatic tunnel inspections and marking construction areas. This initiative aims to reduce the time spent on “repetitive” and “tedious” jobs. The company reports that inspecting one kilometre of tunnel can be completed in under 10 minutes by drone, compared to approximately 30 minutes for manual inspection.

The adoption of drone technology by MTR signifies a move towards greater automation and technological integration in rail maintenance. This could lead to reduced operational costs, improved safety for maintenance crews by minimizing their exposure to hazardous tunnel environments, and more frequent, detailed inspections, ultimately enhancing overall network reliability and passenger safety across the region.

This pilot programme is part of a broader initiative by authorities to promote drone usage, with MTR’s test being one of 38 “sandbox” projects. The drones are operated on a platform designed for automatic task completion along programmable routes, developed in partnership with other technology firms.

As Asian cities continue to expand their urban and inter-city rail networks, such innovative approaches to infrastructure management like MTR’s drone deployment are becoming increasingly vital for ensuring the long-term sustainability and efficiency of these critical transportation arteries.

Source: South China Morning Post