Bandicoot: Robot replacing manual scavenging
One of the biggest problems in India is the profession of manual scavenging. Although laws have been made to stop the practice, human scavengers are forced to enter and clean the manholes with their hands even today — a major reason being a lack of proper technological solutions to take their place.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has procured a manhole-cleaning robot called 'Bandicoot', which would help end the practice of manual scavenging.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has procured a manhole-cleaning robot called 'Bandicoot', which would help end the practice of manual scavenging.
Working technology
To get the job done, the robot goes inside the manhole and mimics all the actions of a human scavenger.
Bandicoot has two structures. One is the robotic unit with an arm and four legs that enters the manhole and handles the cleaning operation. The other is a control panel unit that stays outside the manhole with the person controlling or monitoring Bandicoot.
The robotic unit has a fixed, waterproof, night-vision camera that transmits 4K resolution videos and images in real time, even in the presence of water.
Various sensors help Bandicoot measure different environmental parameters like manhole dimensions, material and chemicals inside the manhole, humidity, temperature and so on. The robotic arm has five degrees of freedom with 360-degree movement capacity. A bucket unit of 18 liters capacity is attached to collect waste
Bandicoot has two structures. One is the robotic unit with an arm and four legs that enters the manhole and handles the cleaning operation. The other is a control panel unit that stays outside the manhole with the person controlling or monitoring Bandicoot.
The robotic unit has a fixed, waterproof, night-vision camera that transmits 4K resolution videos and images in real time, even in the presence of water.
Various sensors help Bandicoot measure different environmental parameters like manhole dimensions, material and chemicals inside the manhole, humidity, temperature and so on. The robotic arm has five degrees of freedom with 360-degree movement capacity. A bucket unit of 18 liters capacity is attached to collect waste
.
Two modes Of Operations
The cleaning process can be done in two modes: automatic or semi-automatic. Automatic cleaning can be applied to standard manholes. It is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) programs based on data collected by sensors. The robotic unit moves inside the manhole by itself and cleans on its own.
For non-standard manholes, the semi-automatic control is brought into play. The human being controlling the robot can use the control panel that has a display screen to position Bandicoot inside the manhole. Cleaning is done automatically.
For non-standard manholes, the semi-automatic control is brought into play. The human being controlling the robot can use the control panel that has a display screen to position Bandicoot inside the manhole. Cleaning is done automatically.
Key features
The key features of the machine include, complete robotic solution for eliminating manual scavenging and cleaning sewage in a world class manner using four advanced sewer cameras which work in day and light
Cost
The Raheja Corp. as part of its CSR initiative funded the project of procurement of 'Bandicoot' robotic machine at an estimated cost of Rs 32 lakhs to avoid manual scavenging.
Trial run of Bandicoot
GHMC Mayor B Rammohan inaugurated the "bandicoot" robotic manhole desilting machine at the Biodiversity junction at Gachibowli in Hyderabad.
The Supreme Court has issued guidelines to all Urban Local Bodies in the country to have "technology adopted methods" for cleaning manholes and septic tanks
The Supreme Court has issued guidelines to all Urban Local Bodies in the country to have "technology adopted methods" for cleaning manholes and septic tanks
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