KSUM-backed VST’s BIN-19 Proving Efficacy in Collecting Used Facemasks

KOCHI:
Eleven months after VST Mobility Solutions launched BIN-19, the medical device that enables collection of used facemasks is proving increasingly useful in the healthcare sector faced with fighting a second wave of Covid-19.

BIN-19 has been successfully installed in all the District Administration Offices of the state with the support of CSR funds. Recently, the company, which is backed by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), received orders from European mask manufacturing company for deploying the mask disinfection device in hospitals.

The Kochi-based startup had in June last year developed BIN-19 using IoT (internet of things), using knowhow from the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science Technology at Thiruvananthapuram. Of late, amid a fresh spread of the pandemic, BIN-19 is playing a vital role in handling the disposal of used facemasks in the state.

Helping health workers prevent the spread of Covid-19, the device is proving to be essential in handling the Covid waste, experts said.

Recently, authorities notified BIN-19 does play a critical role in protecting waste-management employees from the threat of Covid-19. Publically, too, the device has found wide acceptance across sectors.

BIN-19 facilitates dropping of used masks into the chamber and subsequently enable its disinfection. The disinfected masks will be transferred to another container inside the bin. The person who drops the masks can sanitize hands with the help of BIN-19’s automatic sanitizer dispenser. All this can be done without touching or operating any of the switches of the bin. The device is hands-free, as all its functions are automatic.

The IoT features also ensure a mobile application to navigate/find BIN-19, besides providing a web portal for alerts on status. The device also has alerts on switching on and off power and opening the box, revealed Alvin George, chief executive officer, VST.

The start-up has an end-to-end platform on telematics that include software and hardware products for the intelligent transportation system.

KSUM, as a non-profit entity registered in 2014 under Society Act 1956, is an incubator approved by the Union government’s Department of Science and Technology’s National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board. The agency promotes entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state to promote technology-based ventures by creating the infrastructure and environment.