Rostransnadzor began to use cyberdogs to inspect trains

2025

Use of cyberdogs to assess the condition of trains

Rostransnadzor decided to use data on the state of trains collected by special robotic dogs to make decisions on the admission of trains to operation. The department announced this in mid-November 2025.

Robops were developed by specialists of the Scientific Research and Design Institute of Informatization, Automation and Communications in Railway Transport (NIIAS). This is the leading industry institute of the Russian Railways Group, which is engaged in the introduction of modern digital technologies in order to improve the efficiency, safety and competitiveness of railway transport.

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Фото: TACC

According to TASS, the developed biomorphic robots are equipped with cameras and lidars. Artificial intelligence algorithms are used to identify faults and defects. Cyberdogs are planned to be used to diagnose the condition of rolling stock in areas potentially dangerous to people. This will simplify the work of inspectors and increase efficiency.

The results of this work can be used by the employees of Goszheldornadzor to conduct remote monitoring of the condition of rolling stock during admission to the infrastructure. In order to prevent violations of the mandatory requirements of the law, when detecting violations by employees of Goszheldornadzor, a warning may be issued to the responsible subject of railway transport, Rostransnadzor notes.

Earlier it was reported that robops are able to move at speeds of up to 20 km/h and overcome difficult obstacles. They can inspect and diagnose hard-to-reach objects. The collected information can be automatically transmitted to the operator's computer. Robots are designed primarily to perform inspection tasks without human input.^[1]

Robops tests on the railway

The Russian Railways Research Institute of Automation and Communications has begun testing three biomorphic dog robots at cargo stations in the Moscow region. This became known in January 2025.

According to the official Russian Railways news channel, the robotic devices are equipped with cameras and lidars for automatic data transfer to the operator's computer. The tests are aimed at checking the algorithms of actions, the ability to move around the infrastructure and the battery life of batteries. The project is being implemented by the Institute for Informatization, Automation and Communications in Railway Transport (NIIAS).

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Фото: Russian Railways telegram channel

The head of the Russian Railways technical policy department, Alexei Petrov, said that in the future, robopses are planned to be used to monitor compliance with labor protection, ensure transport safety, as well as diagnose the state of infrastructure and rolling stock.

Biomorphic robots are able to move on both paws and wheels, which provides them with maximum mobility in various conditions of railway infrastructure. The devices are being tested on the busiest sections of the railway.

The electronic functionality of robotic devices will allow them to be integrated into the ecosystem of a digital station. This is aimed at increasing the level of automation of production processes in railway transport.

Robot dogs are designed to work on potentially dangerous sections of the railway for humans. Their use will minimize risks for employees during inspections and maintenance.

The introduction of biomorphic robots is part of the Russian Railways digital transformation program. The Company actively develops automated railway infrastructure control and monitoring systems using modern technologies.

Tests are carried out by specialists of the Research and Design Institute of Informatization, Automation and Communications in Railway Transport, who analyze the effectiveness of robots in real operating conditions at railway facilities.^[2]

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