Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 23: In a landmark move towards adopting cutting-edge technology, Indian Railways has introduced a humanoid robot named ‘ASC Arjun’ under the East Coast Railway, marking the first such deployment across the national transporter. Inspired by the legendary focus of Arjuna from the Mahabharata, the initiative aims to enhance passenger safety, security and service delivery through advanced digital solutions.
The humanoid robot has been deployed at Visakhapatnam Railway Station under the aegis of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The Ministry of Railways announced that the robot 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.
Developed as part of the RPF’s modernisation and digital transformation drive, ASC Arjun is designed to supplement railway operations, particularly in the areas of security, passenger assistance, crowd management, cleanliness monitoring and safety awareness. The Railways said the robot has been entirely designed and developed in Visakhapatnam through indigenous innovation, with a dedicated team working for over a year to bring the project to fruition.
Equipped with a Face Recognition System, the humanoid will help identify intruders and immediately alert RPF personnel through IoT-enabled systems, enabling faster response and reducing detection time. It will also assist in AI-based passenger density analysis, helping authorities prevent congestion and manage crowds proactively during peak hours by sending real-time alerts to control rooms and security staff.
The robot will deliver autonomous safety and information announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu, improving passenger awareness and compliance. It will also guide passengers effectively during rush hours and carry out semi-autonomous navigation along predefined paths with obstacle avoidance, ensuring continuous patrolling and a round-the-clock presence while easing the burden on manpower.
Indian Railways said ASC Arjun is capable of interacting with passengers through friendly gestures and information support, enhancing public trust and reinforcing the presence of the RPF. Continuous monitoring through an integrated dashboard will provide real-time intelligence to assist decision-making by RPF officials and control rooms.
In emergency situations, including fire incidents, the humanoid will enable early detection of smoke and fire and send instant alerts to facilitate swift response and improved passenger safety. As a cultural touch, the robot will greet passengers with a ‘Namaste’ and salute RPF officers.
Describing the initiative as pioneering, IG (RPF) Alok Bohra said the introduction of ASC Arjun reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to leveraging advanced technology to strengthen security, enhance passenger experience and support frontline staff.