Gamuda Launches First Autonomous Tunnel Boring Machine in AU

Gamuda reached a significant milestone as it launched its first autonomous tunnel boring machine (TBM) in Australia as part of the Sydney Metro West – Western Tunnelling Package.

The TBM known as Betty, named in honour of Australian athlete and four-time Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert, uses proprietary technology developed by Gamuda. The sophisticated artificial intelligence software installed inside the TBM has the capability to automatically steer, operate, and monitor the machine. While an operator is always in control of the machine, the autonomous algorithm takes on the machine’s repetitive tasks leading to increased speed and greater accuracy.

Whilst it is the first time the technology has been used in Australia; it has previously been used to build 13.5 kilometres of tunnel for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Putrajaya Line in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2019-20. The cutting-edge tunnelling technology showcases the innovation used on Sydney Metro, Australia’s biggest public transport project.

Construction of the twin metro tunnels from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead is part of the Sydney Metro West – Western Tunnelling Package contract awarded in February 2022 to the Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium.

A huge thank you to all involved in helping us reach this milestone.