Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0: AI powered G-Spider robot deployed to clean canals in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, March 6. In a major step in urban cleanliness, Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has deployed AI-powered G-Spider robot for cleaning canals under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 in Kerala. This robot is capable of safely removing garbage in dangerous and difficult areas without human intervention.

The Union Urban Development Ministry said that the part of Amayizhanchan canal near Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station has been challenging for cleaning for a long time. Due to low altitude, constant flowing water and no safe entry point, cleaning using traditional methods was extremely difficult. To deal with these challenges, Local Self Government Minister MB Rajesh inaugurated the G-Spider robot. The initiative comes in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation and Technopark-based Genrobotic Innovations, which has previously developed a robotic scavenger named ‘Bandicoot’.

Robot puts mixed and irregular debris directly into collection vehicles

Officials said that with the use of this robot, cleaning workers will not need to go into dangerous and unhygienic environments. Equipped with AI-enabled vision and sensor technology, this robot identifies and safely removes various types of waste accumulated in the canal. It is fitted with a biomimetic claw grabber that grabs mixed and irregular debris and places it directly into the collection vehicles.

Capable of working even under high water levels and continuous flow conditions

The G-Spider robot is capable of working even in conditions of high water level and constant flow. It ensures cleanliness of the canals by safely removing plastic, sharp objects and other harmful waste. With regular and systematic cleaning it will also strengthen urban drainage and help prevent problems like floods.

Officials have described it as a technology-based revolutionary step in urban sanitation, which not only increases efficiency but also ensures the safety of sanitation workers. This model can also be adopted in other risky canals and drainage networks of the state.