In a major boost towards leveraging advanced technology for enhancing passenger safety, security and service delivery, Waltair division of the East Coast Railway today introduced a humanoid robot “ASC ARJUN” at Visakhapatnam Railway Station under the aegis of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
As per the division this is the first of its kind in Indian Railways.
The Humanoid was unveiled by the Inspector General (RPF) Mr Alok Bohra and Divisional Railway Manager Mr Lalit Bohra in presence of the Senior Divisional Security Commandant (RPF) Mr AK Dubey at Visakhapatnam railway station.
The humanoid robot, deployed as part of the RPF’s modernization and digital transformation initiatives, is designed to supplement various railway operations, particularly in the areas of security, passenger assistance, crowd management, cleanliness monitoring and safety awareness.
Led by Mr Dubey under the guidance of Mr Alok Bohra & Mr Lalit Bohra the team is said to have worked diligently for over one year to successfully develop this advanced technology.
The robot has been entirely designed and developed in Visakhapatnam, incorporating state-of-the-art technology through indigenous innovation, said the railways in an official release.
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 the 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.
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.
Interactive Capabilities:
- 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
Speaking on the occasion Mr Alok Bohra, IG (RPF) said that the introduction of ASC ARJUN marks a pioneering initiative in adopting cutting-edge technology to strengthen railway security, improve passenger experience and support frontline staff.
He added that the Indian Railway remains committed to embracing innovation for creating a safe, secure and passenger-friendly railway ecosystem.
