Industry Leadership: Changhong Power Innovates AI Battery System for China’s CR450 EMU

As the wave of artificial intelligence sweeps across various sectors, robots are becoming increasingly visible in everyday life. From the robot that performs tricks during the Spring Festival Gala to those that transport goods in factories and the machine dogs that greet visitors at exhibitions, these innovations capture public attention. One key component enabling the stable operation of these robots is their power source—the battery.

四川长虹电源股份有限公司 (Changhong Power) is a company focused on the research and development of new energy systems. In recent years, it has actively pursued advancements in future equipment technology, launching its self-developed AI lithium-ion battery packs that are now widely used in robots and machine dogs.

Battery Management

According to a representative from Changhong Power, “AI power sources provide a constant energy supply for AI robots, much like a human heart.” Robots typically operate in complex environments, including extreme conditions such as low temperatures, humidity, and vibrations. Lithium-ion batteries are well-suited for these conditions due to their excellent adaptability, making them the preferred choice for powering robots.

The AI lithium-ion battery packs developed by Changhong Power feature high energy density, adaptability to various environments, safety, long lifespan, as well as a relatively light weight and compact size. These characteristics ensure reliable operation of robots while enhancing safety to prevent hazards under extreme conditions, such as overload, deep discharge, and overheating.

To produce high-performance batteries, it is essential to optimize their performance for efficient energy utilization and management. With breakthroughs in the latest generation of AI technology, significant changes are underway in this area. “Battery management, in broad terms, equates to artificial intelligence. In practical terms, we aim to achieve precise control through technology,” the representative explained. The AI energy system allows for unified management, control, and coordination of battery packs. “Similar to the human brain, it can identify battery issues in real-time and adjust parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature accordingly,” they added.

Monitoring Battery Health

In terms of safety, the representative emphasized that monitoring battery health is crucial, particularly since battery discharge generates heat and involves uncontrollable factors. “Like a doctor, we must constantly monitor the battery’s health. If any abnormalities arise, we need to issue alerts promptly.” Changhong Power has incorporated intelligent Battery Management Systems (BMS) in its low-temperature lithium-ion battery packs, enabling preemptive alerts and active balancing to enhance battery safety.

In January of this year, the CR450 EMU prototype was unveiled in Beijing, equipped with a battery system developed by Changhong Power. Compared to traditional nickel-cadmium battery systems of equivalent capacity, the CR450 lithium battery system is over 57% lighter. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in lightweight design for rail transit power systems, crucial for energy conservation and noise control.

Notably, Changhong Power pioneered the PHM (Prognostics and Health Management) technology in the industry, utilizing high computational power to store, compute, analyze, and visualize vast amounts of historical battery system data. “We added an intelligent health management terminal to the traditional BMS battery management architecture, essentially equipping the battery system with an advanced ‘brain,'” explained Peng Qiu, deputy chief designer at Changhong Power. This technology enhances battery health management and fault prediction, allowing AI monitoring to assess the “health” of battery cells, thus extending their lifespan.

The battery system on the CR450 EMU not only positions it at the forefront of global rail technology but also significantly contributes to the localization of equipment. Changhong Power’s systems equip 60% of China’s high-speed trains, subways, and maglev trains, and are extensively used in exported locomotive projects in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Turkmenistan, and Sudan.

As a leading player in China’s aviation power system, Changhong Power’s capability to independently develop power systems and battery products is at the forefront of the domestic market, with applications spanning aerospace, rail transit, industrial support, and energy storage sectors. Moving forward, Changhong Power will continue to enhance battery management, develop new technologies and materials, and focus on producing higher voltage and higher capacity battery systems. This comprehensive strategy aims to strengthen its core competitiveness and drive transformative growth, aspiring to become an internationally recognized provider of power system solutions and to propel China’s intelligent manufacturing onto the world stage.