Indian Railways has introduced a humanoid robot named “ASC ARJUN” at Visakhapatnam Railway Station as a measure towards improving passenger safety, security and service delivery.

This deployment marks a first-of-its-kind initiative on the Indian Railways network. The humanoid robot will work alongside RPF personnel to support station operations, particularly during peak passenger movement. "It reflects the organisation’s commitment to adopting new and emerging technologies for public convenience and safety," the statement read. 

ASC ARJUN has been fully designed and developed in Visakhapatnam using home-grown technology. A dedicated team worked continuously for more than a year to bring this project to fruition, demonstrating Indian Railways’ growing capabilities in integrating advanced systems into day-to-day operations.

The humanoid robot is equipped to assist in intrusion detection through the Face Recognition System (FRS), AI-based crowd monitoring, and real-time alerts to RPF control rooms. It can make automated public announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu, helping guide passengers and raise awareness of safety and security matters.

With semi-autonomous navigation along predefined paths and obstacle avoidance, ASC ARJUN can patrol platforms round the clock, supporting effective surveillance while optimising manpower deployment. The robot also features fire and smoke detection systems to enable a timely response in emergencies.

Designed with passenger interaction in mind, ASC ARJUN offers friendly gestures such as “namaste” for passengers and salutes for RPF personnel, along with an easy-to-use interface for information and assistance.

"Indian Railways continues to focus on leveraging technology and indigenous innovation to create a safer, more secure and passenger-friendly railway environment across the country," the release noted.

The robot was unveiled by Inspector General (RPF) Alok Bohra and Divisional Railway Manager Shri Lalit Bohra in the presence of Senior Divisional Security Commandant (RPF) A.K. Dubey. 

Vande Bharat Express runs through snow in Kashmir

In the meantime, Indian Railways' Vande Bharat Express, running between Katra and Srinagar, was observed smoothly crossing snow-covered railway tracks near Banihal on Friday, amid a fresh bout of snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Unlike other Vande Bharat trains in India, the Kashmir model is designed to operate in extreme cold, with temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. The train is outfitted with innovative heating technologies, such as a heated windscreen in the driver's cabin to prevent fogging and freezing, as well as heating elements in plumbing and bio-toilets to keep critical systems operational during the winter.