An intelligent patrol system based on unmanned patrol vehicles, humanoid robots, quadrupedal robots and drones is displayed in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on 22 January (CNS)

On the first day of 2026 chunyun, a period of high mobility associated with the Chinese New Year, the city of Jingzhou in Hubei Province welcomed new participants in road safety: police robots capable of moving autonomously and interacting with passengers. Deployed on a trial basis on 2 February, these robots quickly demonstrated their usefulness in various urban settings. 

Equipped with advanced visual recognition systems, they monitor intersections attentively. When an electric bicycle rider is not wearing a helmet or a non-motorised vehicle crosses a stop line, the robot immediately emits an audible warning, performs precise regulatory gestures, and delivers a voice message to raise awareness. Through their fluid and standardised behaviour, these robots faithfully reproduce the gestures of an experienced traffic officer. 

These robots are not limited to automated announcements. They are a concrete application of embodied intelligence, integrating autonomous navigation, real time perception and human-machine interaction. Based on a bipedal humanoid platform, they can walk, change direction and accurately reproduce a dozen regulatory gestures, thanks to high-precision mechanical joints. They also conduct patrols, detect offences and perform video surveillance, effectively reinforcing human personnel. 

Today, the rapid rise of embodied intelligence technologies is gradually transforming the security sector. Innovative companies such as DEEP Robotics, based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, have developed intelligent solutions that are redefining traditional operating methods, which rely on human patrols and fixed cameras and are often limited by blind spots and insufficient responsiveness. 

Improved efficiency 

In an industrial park in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, DEEP Robotics quadrupedal robots patrol at a speed of 2 metres per second, easily negotiating stairs, kerbs and complex terrain. Equipped with a wide-field-of-view LiDAR and an integrated multi-sensor system, they ensure reliable autonomous navigation, even in constrained environments. By taking on repetitive or risky tasks, these robots free human agents and improve efficiency. 

In Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, this integration is also advancing on campus. The robots broadcast prevention messages while providing continuous surveillance. Thanks to bi-spectral cameras, they detect fires, identify night time hazards using projectors, and can intervene quickly via remote communication modules. 

While some applications are still limited to pilot scenarios, industry players see considerable potential. The challenge now lies in opening up to new technological partnerships to develop more mature applications and increase the effectiveness of smart security services.