Indian Railways To Deploy First Humanoid Crowd-Control Robot ‘ASC Arjun’ At Visakhapatnam Station

Author: Soumyaroop Mukherjee
Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:27 PM (IST)
Source:JND

The Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid robot named ASC Arjun at the Visakhapatnam Railway Station to manage a huge crowd on the platform. It will be the first time that a robot is deployed for any operational work in the Indian Railways network. The deployment is also a stepping stone towards integrating AI and emerging technologies for the convenience and safety of the public. The robot will work alongside RPF personnel to assist in station operations, especially during peak passenger traffic.

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Who Built ASC Arjun?

The humanoid robot is indigenously built and designed in Vishakapatnam. The project was spearheaded by a team under the guidance of Alok Bohra (IG, RPF) and Lalit Bohra (Divisional Railway Manager), with technical leadership from AK Dubey (Divisional Security Commandant, RPF). The project took a year to complete. The humanoid robot is designed to assist in the detection through a face recognition system (FRS), AI-based crowd monitoring, and real-time alerts to the RPF control room.

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ASC Arjun: Features

- The robot is equipped to deliver automated public announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, helping passengers with guidance in their local language.

- The robot has semi-autonomous movements programmed within it.

- This means it can navigate pre-set routes, avoid obstacles, and conduct round-the-clock patrols on the platform, improving surveillance and optimising the deployment of manpower in required areas.

- It is integrated with fire and smoke detection systems, which allows authorities to respond quickly in emergencies.

- The robot is built with a passenger-friendly motive to help travellers through simple commands, offer information and assistance, and even perform symbolic gestures such as ‘Namaste’ for commuters and salutations for RPF personnel.

Where Else Are Humanoid Robots Used In Railways?

Besides India, humanoids are used in Japan. However, instead of crowd control, these robots are designed to perform dangerous and physically demanding tasks that are hazardous for human workers, such as trimming tree branches along the tracks, painting metal frames, and repairing overhead electrical wires.