AI robot powers the next generation of urban sanitation in Thiruvananthapuram
- Press Information Bureau
- March 9, 2026
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has introduced an advanced AI-powered robotic system, G-SPIDER, to modernise canal cleaning operations and improve the safety of sanitation workers. The robotic solution has been deployed at the Amayizhanchan canal near the Thampanoor railway station area, a location known for complex operational challenges such as restricted vertical clearance, continuous water flow and confined working conditions that make conventional manual cleaning extremely difficult. Developed by Technopark-based Genrobotic Innovations, the system was commissioned by the state’s Local Self-Governments Minister Mr. M. B. Rajesh as part of efforts to eliminate hazardous manual scavenging practices and enhance sanitation infrastructure.
The G-SPIDER robot is designed to operate in complex canal environments without requiring human entry. Built on a cable-driven parallel robotics architecture and powered by AI-enabled vision and sensor intelligence, the system can detect, assess and remove waste with precision. Its robotic mechanism, equipped with a claw-type grabber, allows accurate positioning and secure handling of mixed debris, including plastics and hazardous materials. Extracted waste is directly transferred to collection vehicles, creating a fully mechanised cleaning process from detection to disposal. The robotic intervention not only reduces worker exposure to toxic gases and contaminated water but also ensures systematic canal maintenance, improves drainage efficiency and helps mitigate urban flooding risks. The initiative represents a scalable model for technology-driven sanitation management and demonstrates how innovation can strengthen urban infrastructure while safeguarding the dignity and safety of sanitation workers.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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