11th Mar 2024: Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, known for its lush greenery and pleasant climate, is set to adopt the revolutionary solution for urban sanitation, Bandicoot. Already Adopted in 19 states and 3 Union territories and in operation since 2018, Bandicoot has been Nationally and Internationally Recognized as the World’s First Robotic Scavenger. The launch of the Bandicoot, developed by Genrobotics, marks a significant leap forward in sewage maintenance and safety. Bandicoot robot launched in Dehradun smart city, by Hon Chief minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami. Along with Smt. Sonika (I.A.S)DM and CEO of smart city dehradun , Mr. Nikhil NP Director of Genrobtics, Mr. Ashish Bhatt, Exn Dehradun Jal sansthan.
Bandicoot, an ingenious creation of modern engineering by Genrobotics, offers a safe, efficient, and cost-effective means to eliminate Manual Scavenging. This Made-in-India product stands as the benchmark of excellence for the Make-in-India initiative. Its agile design and advanced features streamline the process, thereby eliminating the need for manual labor and putting an end to manual scavenging. With Bandicoot, municipalities can enhance sanitation practices while safeguarding the well-being of their workforce. Manual scavengers will be trained to operate Bandicoot robots, transitioning away from the practice of Manual Scavenging but without any Job loss.
Bandicoot, with its human-like robotic arm, specially designed waste collecting system, and sewerage and waterproof cameras, offers a comprehensive solution to the problem of manhole cleaning. Unlike other techniques such as sucking and grabbing machines, Bandicoot eliminates the need for human entry into Manholes. Suction machines’ effectiveness is often limited by the height of manholes and they struggle to remove solid wastes effectively while grabbing machines typically clean less than 20% of the manhole area. As a result, these techniques are at best considered only temporary solutions.
“We are thrilled to introduce Bandicoot to Dehradun, which will bring a revolution in the way manhole cleaning is done,” said Mr. Nikhil, Director of Genrobotics. “Our innovative technology will not only improve the speed and efficiency of manhole cleaning but also eliminate the risk to the lives of sanitation workers involved in this hazardous task. Bandicoot’s state-of-the-art design and advanced features, including its multipurpose robotic arm and machine vision cameras, ensure precise and effective cleaning inside manholes while keeping operators safe above ground. With Bandicoot, we aim to set a new standard for sanitation practices, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for all”
“We believe that Bandicoot has the power to catalyze change,” remarked Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. “By embracing innovative solutions like Bandicoot, we can address critical challenges in urban sanitation and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.”
The launch of Bandicoot in Dehradun signifies hope and an inspiration for other municipalities to embrace innovation and prioritize sanitation and safety. As cities across India face mounting urbanization challenges, Bandicoot offers hope as a testament to human ingenuity in addressing the challenges through advanced technology.
Moreover, it’s noteworthy that Genrobotics, the company behind Bandicoot, has been honored with the National Startup Award, recognizing its contribution to technological innovation. Additionally, Bandicoot has been recognized with the Best Solution for Eliminating Manual Scavenging Award from AMURT, further validating its impact on societal challenges.