Humanoid Robot Deployed at Vizag Station for passenger safety
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Indian Railways, the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway has deployed a humanoid robot, ‘ASC ARJUN’, at Visakhapatnam railway station under the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The deployment is aimed at strengthening station security and enhancing passenger support through advanced technology.
The humanoid 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, at the station.
Addressing the media, DRM Lalit Bohra said the robot was introduced as part of the RPF’s modernisation and digital transformation initiatives. “ASC ARJUN is powered by artificial intelligence, IoT connectivity, and real-time monitoring systems. It will function as a smart assistant for passengers and RPF personnel,” he said.
He said the humanoid has been developed to support operations in key areas such as platform surveillance, passenger guidance, crowd management, cleanliness monitoring, and safety awareness. It will also deliver automated public announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, especially during peak hours.
Officials said the robot can detect intruders using a Face Recognition System (FRS) and instantly transmit alerts to RPF teams through IoT-enabled networks. It also offers AI-based passenger density assessment, aiding crowd control during rush periods.
Besides semi-autonomous patrolling on predefined routes with obstacle-avoidance features, ASC ARJUN is equipped with fire and smoke detection sensors to support early emergency response.
Railway officials said the robot was designed and developed in Visakhapatnam, with a team led by A.K. Dubey working for more than a year to complete the project.
Calling it a pioneering step, IG Alok Bohra said the deployment would improve security and passenger experience. “It reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to adopting advanced technologies to support frontline staff and create a safer, passenger-friendly ecosystem,” he said.