JR West to deploy ZX-2 and ZX-3 railway maintenance robots

West Japan Railway is expanding its ZIZAI program with two teleoperated robots: the dual-arm ZX-3 with a chainsaw on a 15-meter boom, due in November 2026, and the single-arm ZX-2 with a 120 kg payload, due in October. The company targets roughly a 30% cut in personnel needed for elevated maintenance work.

• ZX-3: dual arms, chainsaw attachment, ~15 m reach, 20 kg grip
• ZX-2 lifts up to 120 kg for overhead-line hardware
• Both robots are teleoperated with the operator on the ground
• Target: 30% fewer workers on elevated maintenance tasks