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East Coast Railway introduces humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam station – here’s why

Humanoid robot at Visakhapatnam railway station: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has introduced a humanoid robot “ASC ARJUN” at Visakhapatnam Railway Station.

3 min readUpdated: Jan 22, 2026 11:55 PM IST

Humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam station (Image: East Coast Railway)

Humanoid robot at Visakhapatnam railway station: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has introduced a humanoid robot “ASC ARJUN” at Visakhapatnam Railway Station. According to the national transporter, this is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Indian Railways. The move is a step towards using advanced technology to improve passenger safety, security and service delivery.

‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam station

The humanoid robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ has been deployed at Visakhapatnam railway station as part of the RPF’s modernization and digital transformation initiatives. It has been designed to supplement various railway operations, particularly in the areas of security, passenger assistance, crowd management, cleanliness monitoring and safety awareness.

According to ECoR, the robot has been entirely designed and developed in Visakhapatnam, incorporating state-of-the-art technology through indigenous innovation. The team has been worked for more than one year for the development of this advanced technology, it said.

Humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam station (Image: East Coast Railway)

Here’s how Indian Railways first humanoid robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ will play a significant role

Intrusion Detection

The robot can identify intruders using Face Recognition System (FRS) and instantly alert RPF personnel through IoT-enabled alerts, ensuring rapid response and reduced detection time.

Crowd Management

AI-based passenger density analysis helps in preventing congestion and enables proactive crowd control measures during peak hours. The robot will send messages to the control and alert the security personnel for quick response.

Public Announcements

Autonomous safety and information announcements are delivered in English, Hindi and Telugu, improving passenger awareness and compliance. This will enable public to guide effectively during peak hours.

Platform Patrol

Semi-autonomous navigation along predefined paths with obstacle avoidance allows continuous patrolling and 24×7 presence, reducing manpower burden. This will improve in effective security management.

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Passenger Assistance

ASC ARJUN interacts with passengers through friendly gestures and information support, enhancing public trust and the perception of RPF authority.

Situational Awareness

Continuous monitoring with an integrated dashboard provides real-time intelligence to support effective decision-making by RPF and control rooms.

Fire & Smoke Detection

Early detection of fire and smoke with instant alerts enables swift emergency response and enhanced passenger safety.

Apart from these functions, the humanoid robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ is equipped with several other capabilities, including:

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Multi-language announcements for safety instructions and crowd guidance
Cultural gestures such as Namaste for passengers and salute to RPF officers
Real-time IoT connectivity with RPF control rooms
Passenger-friendly user interface for public interaction and assistance

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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