Indian Railways deploys humanoid robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam railway station
Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid robot, named ASC ARJUN, at Visakhapatnam Railway Station to enhance passenger safety, security and service delivery, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative across the railway network.
The robot will operate alongside Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel to assist in station operations, particularly during periods of heavy passenger movement. The deployment reflects Indian Railways’ push towards adopting emerging technologies to improve public convenience and operational efficiency.
ASC ARJUN was unveiled by Inspector General (RPF) Alok Bohra and Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra in the presence of Senior Divisional Security Commandant (RPF) A.K. Dubey. Railway officials said the initiative underscores a focus on innovation-driven and indigenously developed solutions.
Designed and developed entirely in Visakhapatnam using home-grown technology, the humanoid robot is the result of over a year of work by a dedicated technical team. The Ministry of Railways noted that the project demonstrates Indian Railways’ growing capability to integrate advanced systems into routine railway operations.
The robot is equipped with a Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection, AI-based crowd monitoring and real-time alert generation for RPF control rooms. It can also make automated public announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu to assist passengers and promote safety awareness.
Featuring semi-autonomous navigation with obstacle-avoidance capability, ASC ARJUN can patrol station platforms round the clock, supporting surveillance and optimising manpower deployment. It is also fitted with fire and smoke detection systems to aid timely response during emergencies.
In addition to its security functions, the robot has been designed for passenger interaction, offering gestures such as a ‘Namaste’ for passengers and salutes for RPF personnel, along with an interface to provide information and assistance.
The Ministry said the deployment of ASC ARJUN is part of a broader effort to leverage technology and indigenous innovation to create a safer, more secure and passenger-friendly railway environment.
