- The urban development authority has purchased each robot for ₹34 lakh including the cost of procuring and running a generator.
- The robot’s arms can stretch to 1.7 metres to collect trash to clean sewers.
New Town Kolkata Development Authority has introduced three manhole-cleaning robots to clean the sewerage network across New Town.
The urban development authority has purchased each robot for ₹34 lakh including the cost of procuring and running a generator for operating the machines from Kerala-based startup Genrobotics.
The waste that clogs the manhole would be collected by the robotic arms of the robot called Bandicoot. The machine’s gas detection sensors would be able to detect the presence of any toxic gases inside the manholes. The robot’s arms can stretch to a length of 1.7 metres to collect trash, enabling comprehensive cleaning of the drainage systems, and effectively replacing human labour.
“The machines will effectively replace manual labour and will help in thorough cleaning of the drainage lines along with the suction jetting machines which are already in use across New Town. There will be specific apps to operate the robot machines through an integrated command system,” said an NKDA official.
Bandicoot robots consist of two components- the control unit which consists of a console to operate the robot, and the drone unit which enters the manhole. The unit consists of legs which enable movement inside the hole, arms to pick up the waste matter, a bucket to collect the waste and a camera with night vision to enable real-time monitoring.
Co-founded in 2015, GenRobotics was founded by college mates Vimal Govind M.K., Rashid K., Arun George, and Nikhil N.P., who came up with this startup after three men got trapped inside a manhole and lost their lives, in Kozhikode district. This triggered their focus on creating a solution that would ensure no humans needed to enter manholes.
