Visually impaired commuters test an AI-powered robotic guide dog alongside a traditional guide dog at Shenzhen's Huangmugang Metro station. Shenzhen Metro plans to expand the robotic guide dog service after a six-month pilot program. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily
Shenzhen has officially rolled out an AI-powered robotic guide dog service for visually impaired commuters after a six-month pilot at one of the city's busiest subway hubs.
Shenzhen Metro, the operator of the southern Chinese tech hub's extensive subway network, is set to expand the service to more stations later this year.
Nicknamed "Xiaosuan," the wheel-based robot has assisted 87 visually impaired passengers at Huangmugang transportation hub since trial operations began late 2025, according to Shenzhen Metro. Transit authorities said the device recorded no safety incidents during the period and five additional units have already been procured for wider deployment across the network this year.
The rollout marks what operators describe as the world's first introduction of robotic guide dogs in an urban rail transit system.
"When I walk with it, I don't worry about getting lost," a visually impaired commuter surnamed Gao said after using the device. "I hope it can be introduced at more stations so more visually impaired people can travel independently."
"Xiaosuan," an AI-powered robotic guide dog, is seen at Shenzhen's Huangmugang transportation hub during a subway accessibility pilot program. Xinhua
Roughly knee-high and mounted on wheels, the robotic assistant guides passengers while they hold a lightweight handlebar. Using cameras, sensors and AI-powered navigation systems, it can respond to voice commands, avoid obstacles, follow tactile paving for the visually impaired and guide users through elevators, station corridors and exits.
The robot was first introduced at the Huangmugang station, a large transit hub in Shenzhen. According to Shenzhen Metro, the station's complex navigation and heavy foot traffic provided an ideal testing environment for accessibility technology.
The project was launched during the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games held in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in December 2025.
For many users, the technology offers an alternative to traditional guide dogs, which remain scarce and expensive in China. Some visually impaired commuters involved in the trial said the robotic system could provide more precise navigation in crowded urban environments.
Mo Chuanxi, a visually impaired commuter, walks through Shenzhen's Huangmugang Metro station using the AI-powered robotic guide dog "Xiaosuan."
Visually impaired commuter Mo Chuanxi, who uses a traditional guide dog, said the robotic assistant appeared more focused in certain transit environments.
"While guide dogs can occasionally be distracted by their surroundings, the robot's ability to recognize traffic lights and plan routes make me feel safer," Mo said.
Chen Hao, founder of Guangzhou Xiaosuan Intelligent Technology — the developer behind the device — said the team spent five years developing the robot and conducted thousands of internal tests with visually impaired users before launching the subway pilot.
Unlike smart glasses that rely heavily on audio prompts, Chen said the robotic guide dog allows users to maintain greater awareness of their surroundings.
"Visually impaired users depend heavily on hearing to perceive the environment," Chen said. "If a device constantly delivers voice instructions, it can interfere with that awareness."
Chen said the company chose a wheel-based design over quadruped "robot dogs" because it is cheaper, more energy-efficient and better suited to guiding pedestrians safely through transit environments.
The company is now developing future versions capable of climbing stairs and operating in unfamiliar environments without pre-mapped routes.
An AI-powered robotic guide dog waits at a service point inside Shenzhen's Huangmugang transportation hub.
Shenzhen Metro said the project is part of its broader efforts to improve accessibility across the city's transit network. Shenzhen's 485 Metro stations already include tactile paving, Braille signage, barrier-free elevators and volunteer assistance services.
As the robotic guide dog program expands beyond the Huangmugang station, Shenzhen Metro said it expects AI-assisted mobility tools can help visually impaired commuters travel more independently in one of China's largest and fastest-growing cities.
