GoKawiilJR East deploys remote-controlled chainsaw robot for rail track maintenance
Japanese rail operator JR East is using a rail truck-mounted humanoid robot with chainsaw and grabber arms to clear tree branches obstructing train tracks. The machine, available to engineers since March, is currently remotely operated by a human rather than autonomous. JR East says it is broadly adopting AI and robotics across operations, including drone-based inspections and AI disaster recovery tools.