Indian Railways Deploys Humanoid Robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station
In a significant step towards improving passenger safety, security and service delivery, Indian Railways has introduced a humanoid robot named “ASC ARJUN” at Visakhapatnam Railway Station.
ASC ARJUN
This deployment marks a first-of-its-kind initiative on the Indian Railways network. It reflects the organisation’s commitment to adopting new and emerging technologies for public convenience and safety. The humanoid robot will work alongside RPF personnel to support station operations, particularly during peak passenger movement.
The robot was unveiled by Inspector General (RPF) Shri Alok Bohra and Divisional Railway Manager Shri Lalit Bohra in the presence of Senior Divisional Security Commandant (RPF) Shri A.K. Dubey. The occasion highlighted Indian Railways’ emphasis on innovation-led solutions and indigenous development.
ASC ARJUN has been fully designed and developed in Visakhapatnam using home-grown technology. A dedicated team worked continuously for more than a year to bring this project to fruition, demonstrating Indian Railways’ growing capabilities in integrating advanced systems into day-to-day operations.
The humanoid robot is equipped to assist in intrusion detection through Face Recognition System (FRS), AI-based crowd monitoring, and real-time alerts to RPF control rooms. It can make automated public announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu, helping guide passengers and improve awareness on safety and security matters.
With semi-autonomous navigation along predefined paths and obstacle avoidance, ASC ARJUN can patrol platforms round the clock, supporting effective surveillance while optimising manpower deployment. The robot also features fire and smoke detection systems to enable timely response in emergency situations.
Designed with passenger interaction in mind, ASC ARJUN offers friendly gestures such as Namaste for passengers and salutes for RPF personnel, along with an easy-to-use interface for information and assistance.
Indian Railways continues to focus on leveraging technology and indigenous innovation to create a safer, more secure and passenger-friendly railway environment across the country.
