China Unveils First Vertical Large Model for Tunneling Sector

China has launched its first vertical large model for the tunneling sector, marking a significant advancement in tunnel construction technology aimed at enhancing efficiency and safety. This initiative, reported by the Xinhua News Agency, is associated with the National Key Laboratory for Tunnel Boring Machines and Intelligent Operation and Maintenance, under the umbrella of the China Railway Tunnel Group.
The newly released vertical large model is designed to facilitate safe, high-quality, and environmentally conscious tunnel construction. It signifies a major step towards the intelligent and digital transformation of the industry, which is essential for sustaining growth and improving operational standards.
This model is backed by a substantial data center tailored for shield tunnel boring machine engineering, aggregating insights from 773 engineering projects and encompassing approximately 120 billion construction records. The comprehensive nature of this data allows for a coordinated approach, where a general large model integrates multiple smaller models to create a specialized technological framework.
Notably, the model has already seen application in several significant projects, such as the plateau railway tunnels, the Chongming-Taicang Yangtze River Tunnel connecting Shanghai and Jiangsu Province, and the Pearl River Estuary Tunnel which is vital for the Shenzhen-Jiangmen High-Speed Railway, a cornerstone of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The implementation of this model aims to enhance the safety, quality, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of tunnel projects, while also pivoting the industry toward smarter and more digitally-enabled operations.
The unveiling of this advanced model follows closely on the heels of another important rollout: China's first vertical large model for transport infrastructure, named Lingzhu, which was launched in June in Chengdu.
In total, China has introduced 1,509 large models thus far, surpassing all other nations in terms of quantity among the total 3,755 large models released globally. This exemplifies China's leadership in artificial intelligence technology development and its vast industrial applications.
A recent report from Frost & Sullivan projects that the market size of China's vertical large-model industry is anticipated to surge from 25.4 billion yuan, approximately 3.54 billion dollars, in 2025 to 62.4 billion yuan by 2028, reflecting a remarkable annual growth rate of 50 percent.
This breakthrough in tunneling technology not only reinforces China's commitment to infrastructure development but also underscores the integration of advanced technologies into traditional sectors, showcasing how innovation drives efficiency and sustainable development.
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