Breaking new ground: Opportunities and challenges in tunnel boring machine operations with integrated management systems and artificial intelligence

Advances in tunnel boring machines (TBM) have leveraged applied artificial intelligence to promote sustainable and automatic tunneling construction. This paper highlights the significance of AI-based management subsystems for automatic TBM operations and presents recent key contributions in the field by identifying three key parallel subsystems: modeling, monitoring, and control. Moreover, each subsystem is evaluated from the standpoint of practical implications. In this context, specific challenges are identified, suggesting research paths that include integrated management systems, and encouraging further investigations into TBM automation by integrating the existing management subsystems from an operational perspective.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the advancement of tunnel boring machines (TBM) through the application of artificial intelligence. It highlights the significance of AI-based management subsystems for automatic TBM operations and presents recent contributions in this field. The paper evaluates modeling, monitoring, and control subsystems and suggests research paths for integrating existing management subsystems into TBM automation.