‘ASC Arjun’: How AI humanoid robot helped railway police nab two history-sheeters at Vizag station

Visakhapatnam: An AI-enabled humanoid robot deployed at Visakhapatnam railway station helped railway police apprehend two history-sheeters during routine surveillance on Monday night, officials said on Tuesday.

AI surveillance flags suspects

The humanoid robot, named ASC Arjun, was on duty at the station premises around 8.10 p.m. when it detected two suspicious individuals.

Programmed with uploaded data of known offenders, the robot scans faces of commuters and visitors, matches them through facial recognition technology, and alerts authorities in real time.

The system identified two suspects by matching their facial images with the criminal database and immediately shared the details along with CCTV footage with on-duty staff, including Head Constable B.S. Narayana.

Swift police action

Acting on the alert, Sub-Inspector V. Keerthi Reddy and the crime control team were alerted. The police swiftly moved in and detained the two suspects, identified as Shiva and Bangaru. On verification, it was found that neither possessed valid travel tickets.

Further checks revealed that both were habitual offenders with multiple criminal cases registered against them under the limits of the Rayagada police station. A case was registered, and the Rayagada police were informed for further action.

Officials praise AI deployment

Railway Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Lalitha Bahra said the incident highlighted the effectiveness of AI-based robotic services in identifying repeat offenders and enhancing passenger safety.

“The deployment of AI-enabled robots like ASC Arjun is proving to be extremely useful in crime prevention and surveillance at busy public places,” she noted.

The successful interception underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern policing and public safety, particularly at high-footfall locations such as railway stations, the DRM said.

Who is ASC Arjun?

On January 24, Indian Railways took a landmark step in adopting advanced technology with the introduction of its first humanoid robot, “ASC Arjun,” by the East Coast Railway.

Deployed at Visakhapatnam Railway Station under the aegis of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the initiative aims to strengthen passenger interaction, safety, security, and service delivery.

The deployment marks the first-ever use of a humanoid robot in the Indian Railways system, underscoring its push towards technology-driven solutions for enhanced railway operations and passenger experience.