China Adds Fake Driver to Driverless Metro to Ease Passenger Concerns

A Chinese metro operator installed a human attendant inside the cab of a driverless train. The attendant's sole function is to occupy the driver's seat and appear in control of the vehicle. The measure addresses passenger unease with fully automated operation. Officials stated that the presence of a visible person reduces anxiety among riders who prefer human oversight.

Driverless metro systems have operated in multiple Chinese cities for several years. These trains run on pre-programmed routes with centralized computer control and no onboard driver required for normal service. The addition of the attendant does not alter the train's automation technology or safety systems.

The attendant receives no controls and performs no driving tasks. The practice has drawn attention on social media as an example of human factors engineering in public transit design.