Humanoid Robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ Deployed at Visakhapatnam Railway Station | 27 Jan 2026

Why in News? 

Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid robot named ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• First-of-Its-Kind Initiative: This marks the first deployment of a humanoid robot on the Indian Railways network as part of innovation-led passenger service enhancement. 
• Indigenous Technology: ASC ARJUN has been developed by Railway Protection Force (RPF), Visakhapatnam, using indigenous technology. 
• Role and Function: Assists RPF personnel in station operations, especially during peak passenger hours. 
  • Security and Surveillance Features: It is equipped with a Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection, AI-based crowd monitoring, and connects in real time to RPF control rooms.  
  • Passenger Assistance: The robot can make automated public announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu. 
• Autonomous Patrols: ASC ARJUN has semi-autonomous navigation with obstacle avoidance capabilities. 
  • Enabling 24×7 platform patrolling and optimized manpower use. 
  • Emergency Response Systems: It includes fire and smoke detection systems to aid timely response in case of emergencies. 
• Interactive Design: The robot interacts with passengers using friendly gestures, such as “Namaste,” and provides real-time information and assistance.  
• Significance: It signifies Indian Railways’ focus on technology adoption for safer, secure, and more passenger-friendly stations.