Webuild tests autonomous prototype

The work to be done at the Nicchie La Maddalena site is part of the preparations for the excavation of the base tunnel (Photo: Webuild website)

Webuild and its Swiss subsidiary, CSC Costruzioni, have successfully completed a test run of AXEL (Autonomous Exploration Electrified Vehicle).

The zero-emissions robot prototype is designed to improve the safety of workers that are involved in the excavation of the Turin-Lyon base tunnel.

AXEL is a collaboration between the Webuild Group and the research centre Competence Industry Manufacturing 4.0 (CIM). 

TELT (Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin), the binational public entity responsible for the development and management of a high-speed/high-capacity railway to be built under the Alps between Turin and Lyon, commissioned the test run.

The prototype conducted a preliminary inspection of a tunnel at the Nicchie La Maddalena construction site on the Italian side of the planned base tunnel between the two cities.

The Nicchie La Maddalena site required a 3km inspection to ensure that the unknown atmospheric conditions would be safe for workers.