Why is it in the news?

• India’s first septic tank/manhole cleaning robot, named Homosep Atom, developed by startup Solinas, is bolstering the Swachh Bharat campaign across the nation.

 More about the news

• The technology, incubated at the Department of Science and Technology (DST)-Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of IIT Madras, eliminates manual scavenging by offering robotic cleaning solutions for septic tanks and manholes.
• Homosep Atom is equipped with advanced features such as extensive blade cleaning, solid waste desilting, suction, and storage, consolidating multiple cleaning functions into one device, thereby reducing costs and promoting robotic cleaning in sewers.

About Solinas and its contribution

• Solinas, the startup behind Homosep Atom, integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable inspection, cleaning, and management of confined spaces for sanitation purposes.
• The application of Homosep Atom has been successful in various cities, including Madurai and Chennai, where it effectively cleaned manhole blockages and reduced sewer overflows, particularly in densely populated areas.
• Solinas, a deep-tech and climate tech startup, specializes in developing miniature robots tailored to address water and sanitation challenges, including India’s first 90mm water robot and 120mm sewer robot capable of navigating narrow pipelines.
• Solinas’s technologies, such as Endobot and Swasth AI, serve as pipeline diagnostic tools capable of detecting and mitigating water contamination, wastage, and sewer overflows, thereby contributing to improved water quality and infrastructure maintenance.
• The startup’s AI-based pipeline defect identification and assessment services have proven instrumental in saving costs, reducing resolution time, and improving water supply in cities like Hubballi and Goa.
• Through partnerships with entities like Chennai Metro, Solinas has addressed key challenges such as cross-contamination and illegal tappings, thereby enhancing pipeline integrity and water access.

Conclusion

• DST’s support for startups like Solinas is crucial for encouraging young entrepreneurs to develop knowledge-based enterprises that not only address societal challenges but also contribute to the overall growth and development of the country.