IIT Madras incubator develops India’s 1st septic tank cleaning robot, can save lives

NEW DELHI: Offering an end-to-end solution that has potential to eliminate

manual scavenging

in the country, a startup incubated in the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of IIT Madras, backed by Union science ministry, has developed India’s first septic tank/manhole cleaning robot.
Use of the robotic solution for cleaning septic tanks and manholes will also save lives as it helps

sanitary workers

to do the cleaning job from outside instead of going inside the toxic environment that took many lives over the years across the country.

Official records show that over 1,000 persons died while being engaged in sewers and septic tanks cleaning in the country since 1993 with nearly one-third (308) of them losing their lives in five years during 2018-22.
The robotic solution, called Homosep Atom, has already been deployed by civic bodies in 16 cities including Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore where it replaces manual cleaning methods with robotic cleaning methods, using extensive blade cleanings, solid waste desilting, suction and storage by a single device. It has been developed by a deep-tech and climate tech startup called Solinas.

“Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) support for such startups is a major source of encouragement for youngsters who are inspired by the govt startup movement to develop their knowledge-based enterprises and solve societal challenges as well as contribute to the growth and development of the country,” said Abhay Karandikar, secretary, DST.
The startup which developed the affordable robotic solution integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inspect, clean, and manage confined space for sanitation purposes.
“It helped clean up manhole blockages and reduced sewer overflows in Madurai. The application of Homosep Atom was also extended to the intricate lanes of Chennai's densely populated areas,” said the science ministry in a statement.
It said the deployment of the robotic solution enabled municipalities to promptly and efficiently clean, clear, and transport waste to treatment plants.