One Year of Robotic Sanitation in Chennai

CHENNAI:
Deployed a year ago by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Bandicoot Mobility+ robots, the world’s first robotic solution designed to eliminate manual scavenging, have significantly improved sanitation operations across the city by cleaning more than 9,000 manholes and stormwater drains.

Since their introduction in April 2024, the Bandicoot robots, developed by Genrobotics—a National Award-winning Kerala startup—have greatly reduced the need for manual scavenging, enhancing the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.

The robot’s ability to carry out deep and precise cleaning of manholes—reaching depths beyond 10 meters—has proved especially valuable in Chennai’s complex underground drainage systems.

Following its successful rollout, CMWSSB is planning to expand robotic operations to more city zones and scale up preparations for the monsoon season.

“What Chennai has achieved is not just about using robots to clean manholes—it’s about bringing dignity, safety, and innovation into sanitation. With Bandicoot Mobility+, Chennai has set a benchmark for cities across India aiming to build a safer, smarter future,” said Rashid K, Co-founder of Genrobotics, one of the top three AI startups recognized by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Bandicoot, whose founders featured in the prestigious ‘Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2023’ list, was fully developed in-house in India—built from scratch to solve the real issue of manual scavenging.

While Bandicoot uses advanced robotics for meaningful social transformation, the Mobility+ variant integrates robotic technology with a vehicle-mounted system, allowing the robot to be transported easily between sites and operated in even the most congested urban areas.

With features like real-time camera monitoring, gas detection, and contactless waste collection and disposal, the system ensures maximum worker safety while maintaining high operational efficiency. The onboard waste storage unit, automatic dumper, and stabilizing mechanisms make the entire process seamless and hygienic, with no human intervention required inside the manhole.

Inspired by Chennai’s results, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now announced plans to adopt Bandicoot robots for drain cleaning in Bengaluru, signaling a growing national shift towards technology-driven urban infrastructure management.

Rashid said the success of Bandicoot robot is a strong example of how deep tech startups in India are solving real-world challenges through innovation. “In a developing nation like India, it is imperative for innovators to address social issues through innovations. And we’ve been committed to that mission since 2012.”