Major step towards modernising railway security and passenger services, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has introduced a humanoid robot named ‘ASC Arjun’ at the Visakhapatnam Railway Station, marking the first-ever deployment of a humanoid robot by Indian Railways for station safety and monitoring. The robot has been developed as part of the Railway Protection Force (RPF)’s technology-driven initiative to enhance passenger safety and improve surveillance at busy railway stations, and designed and developed indigenously in Visakhapatnam, ASC Arjun reflects Indian Railways’ growing focus on innovation and smart security solutions. Equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the humanoid robot assists RPF personnel by conducting continuous monitoring of station premises, detecting suspicious activities, analysing crowd density, and alerting security officials in real time, while also supporting fire and smoke detection to help authorities respond quickly during emergencies. Apart from security duties, ASC Arjun is designed to interact with passengers by delivering multilingual announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, providing safety messages, guiding passengers when required, and performing friendly gestures such as ‘Namaste’, making it approachable and user-friendly. The name ‘Arjun’ is inspired by the legendary warrior from the Mahabharata, symbolising alertness, focus, and precision—qualities essential for security operations. Railway officials stated that the robot will not replace human staff but will act as a support system, enabling RPF personnel to focus on critical tasks more effectively. Officials believe that the successful deployment of ASC Arjun at Visakhapatnam will pave the way for introducing similar humanoid robots at other major railway stations across the country, highlighting Indian Railways’ commitment to leveraging advanced technology for safer, smarter, and more passenger-friendly rail travel.
