Huawei's Smart Urban Rail Summit: Innovating Mass Transit with Data and AI

On May 9, 2025, Huawei convened its Smart Urban Rail Summit in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, aiming to accelerate urban rail development through advanced technology. The event, themed "Steaming Ahead with Cloud-Network Convergence and Data & AI Enablement for Smart Urban Rail," brought together leaders and innovators from the rail transportation sector.

Among the speakers, Thomas Xu, Vice President of Huawei's Smart Transportation Business Unit, emphasized the necessity for rail operators to adopt specific technological solutions tailored to their operational needs. His insight into the importance of digital transformation set the stage for a thorough discussion amongst industry experts.

Dr. Tony Lee Kar-yun, Operations and Innovation Director at the MTR, pointed out that merging digital resources with AI can significantly enhance both operational efficiencies and the overall passenger experience. This integration is pivotal for creating seamless urban transportation networks and improving community life in metropolitan areas.

Mr. Xi Xiaodong, Chief Engineer of Shanghai Rail Transit Maintenance Support Co., highlighted the necessity for metro systems to bolster both external partnerships and their internal operational capabilities. This dual approach is essential for fostering sustainable development in urban transit systems.

At the summit, Nelson Huang, Rail Business Director of Huawei, described how the company infuses cutting-edge ICT solutions like cloud computing, big data analytics, 5G connectivity, AI, and IoT technologies to build a robust foundation for intelligent urban rail services. This strategy aims not only to digitize existing rail systems but also to create a smarter, interconnected travel environment.

Adding to the technological discourse, Mr. Xiong Xinbin, Rotating CEO and Senior Vice President of the Beijing Railway Institute of Mechanical Electrical Engineering (BRI), discussed their deployment of Pangu models and integration of AI to develop a comprehensive operations management platform. This innovative approach is part of a larger movement towards digitized rail travel that promotes efficiency and reliability.

During a roundtable discussion, various directors, including Ji Kun from Huawei and Datuk Dr. Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, Chairman of the Malaysian Rail Industry Corporation, engaged in dialogue about technological obstacles and solutions for enhancing user experience. Topics such as data value mining and pain points in transformation were critically examined, providing insights into the future directions for urban rail innovation.

Huawei’s commitment to smart urban rail transcends national borders, having implemented effective solutions across over 300 urban rail lines in more than 70 cities globally. As the company continues to forge strategic alliances, it firmly adheres to principles of openness and collaboration in pursuit of shared success.

Looking ahead, Huawei envisions a future where urban travel is not just convenient but also transformative, unlocking new possibilities for smooth logistics and enhanced transportation experiences. The summit served not just as a platform for technology sharing but as a call to action for all industry stakeholders to collaborate towards achieving smart and sustainable urban transportation solutions.