In a remarkable breakthrough for the Swachh Bharat campaign, India’s first septic tank and manhole cleaning robot, Homosep Atom, is making strides across the country, transforming manual cleaning methods into efficient robotic solutions. Developed by the startup Solinas incubated in the Department of Science and Technology (DST)-Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of IIT Madras, this cutting-edge technology empowers extensive blade cleanings, solid waste desilting, suction, and storage, reducing the reliance on manual labor and promoting a cleaner, safer environment.
Key Points:
- Innovation for Swachh Bharat: Homosep Atom addresses the critical issue of manual scavenging by offering an end-to-end solution. The robotic cleaning methods it employs have reached 16 cities across India, providing a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional cleaning methods.
- AI Integration: Solinas, the startup behind Homosep Atom, integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the robotic solution. The AI technology inspects, cleans, and manages confined spaces for sanitation purposes, aiding in the cleanup of manhole blockages and reducing sewer overflows.
- Dignity for Sanitary Workers: The application of Homosep Atom has empowered sanitary workers by allowing them to clean manholes from the outside, eliminating the need to enter toxic environments. This not only enhances safety but also provides dignity to the workers.
- Deep-Tech Startup: Solinas, born out of IIT Madras, specializes in developing miniature robots, including the 90mm water robot and 120mm sewer robot. These robots navigate through pipelines below 100mm, addressing contamination challenges in water-sewer pipelines.
- Wider Environmental Impact: Solinas’s technologies go beyond sanitation, addressing challenges like water wastage, groundwater pollution, climate change, and day-to-day human issues such as manual scavenging and contaminated water.
Solinas’s exposure and support from DST-TBI at IIT Madras have ensured that their solutions are sustainable and scalable. The startup’s AI-based pipeline diagnostic tools have been instrumental in detecting and mitigating water contamination, wastages, and sewer overflows in various cities, contributing to improved water supply and environmental health.
