For the first time in Australia, two autonomous TBMs (1,266 t and 165 m)  will be used to build twin 9-km rail tunnels between Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead, part of the EUR1.45 bn (AUD2.16 bn) Western Tunnelling Package awarded in February to the Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium. These two mega machines will utilise innovative artificial intelligence software, developed by Gamuda, to automatically steer, operate and monitor a number of TBM functions.    While an operator remains in control, the autonomous system takes on all repetitive tasks from the operator with greater accuracy. The technology allow   * the TBMs to be more accurate and precise, reducing the time required to excavate the 9-km tunnels, therefore saving project costs.  * the use of exact tunnelling speed and force, reducing the impact on the equipment and then the amount of down-time for maintenance      The autonomous machines will join a fleet of TBMs that will build 24-km tunnels from the Sydney CBD to Parramatta with two TBMs scheduled to start tunnelling from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park at the end of this year.    Two autonomous TBMs (1,266 t and 165 m)  are expected to be in the ground by the end of 2023 to deliver the metro rail tunnels from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead. They are designed to excavate through sandstone and shale. They will tunnel an average of 200 metres per week with a team of 15 workers per shift.  Click here https://tunnelbuilder.com/News/First-TBMs-ordered-for-Sydney-Metro-West-.aspx and au/11 https://tunnelbuilder.com/Archive/Projects.aspx?&projectcode=au%2f11  for tunnelbuilder rchive. Visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/australias-first-autonomous-tunnel-boring-machines-be-used-sydney-metro-west. 12/22.