Huawei's Smart Urban Rail Summit: Advancing City Connectivity Through Intelligent Technology

The Huawei Smart Urban Rail Summit, held in Hong Kong, focused on innovative solutions integrating cloud networks, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance urban rail systems. This event served as a platform for industry leaders to discuss how modern technology can be leveraged to address specific service needs in urban environments.

During the summit, Thomas Xu, Vice President of Smart Transportation at Huawei, highlighted the critical role of identifying the right informational and digital technologies to tackle urban transportation challenges. The integration of such technologies is essential for creating smarter cities where traffic management, commute times, and overall passenger experiences can be significantly improved.

Dr. Tony Lee Kar-yun, Operations and Innovation Director at MTR, expressed confidence that the convergence of digital resources with AI applications could bolster operational efficiency and enhance the journeys of everyday commuters. He mentioned that such integration would not only streamline public transport but also contribute to a better quality of life for urban residents.

In his presentation, Xi Xiaodong, Chief Engineer at Shanghai Rail Transit Maintenance Support Co., Ltd., stressed that metro operators aiming for high-quality growth must enhance internal capabilities while utilizing external resources. This balance is crucial for maintaining efficient and reliable services in urban rail systems.

Nelson Huang, Director of Huawei’s Rail Division under Smart Transportation, elaborated on the transformative potential of innovative ICT (information and communication technology), advocating for the integration of cloud technology, big data, 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to establish a robust digital and intelligent foundation for urban rail transport.

Xiong Xinbin, a Senior Vice President at the Beijing Railway Institute of Engineering and Electrical Engineering, discussed the deployment of advanced models to strengthen rail transportation. He highlighted the use of Pangu models and technologies like Ascend and Kunpeng to form a solid data foundation that integrates AI into the development of comprehensive intelligent operational and maintenance platforms.

Throughout the event, a roundtable discussion brought together experts from various sectors within the railway industry, including Ji Kun, the Director of Overseas Rail Solutions at Huawei, and representatives from other major organizations. They delved into the challenges of technology implementation, data value extraction, and enhancing user experiences through modernization efforts.

Huawei has extended its services to over 300 urban rail lines across more than 70 cities worldwide and aims to deepen collaborations with industry partners. With a commitment to openness, cooperation, and shared success, the company seeks to guarantee comfortable travel experiences and seamless logistics through advancing digital and intelligent transportation systems.

As urban populations continue to grow, the importance of integrating smart technologies into public transportation networks has never been greater. This summit underscored Huawei's dedication to not only leading the technology front but also to collaborating with stakeholders to create smarter urban environments for future generations.