This Kerala Startup is Using Robotics to clean sewers and manholes
In India, manual scavenging remains one of the most dangerous and dehumanizing practices. Every year, numerous lives are lost due to toxic gases and hazardous conditions in sewers and manholes. A tragic incident in Kozhikode, Kerala, in 2016 became the catalyst for change. Four young engineers from Kerala decided that technology could and should end this practice forever.
That resolve led to the birth of GenRobotics Innovations, a Thiruvananthapuram-based startup that has developed Bandicoot, India’s first robotic scavenger designed to clean manholes safely and efficiently.
The Founding Story
Rashid K, Arun George, Vimal Govind MK, and Nikhil NP were working on exoskeleton technology when the 2016 sewer deaths shook them. Coming from middle-class families with limited resources, the four engineers had no prior experience with manholes. But the scale of the problem motivated them to act.
They registered GenRobotics Innovations in 2017. Despite financial constraints, they built a wooden prototype with support from the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). Their first breakthrough came when Bandicoot was launched by the Chief Minister of Kerala in 2018. Later that year, Version 2.0 was unveiled in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary General António Guterres.
How Bandicoot Works
Bandicoot is a robust, four-legged robot capable of mimicking human actions inside manholes. Its key features include:
Robotic Arm: Collects waste from all corners effectively.
Camera Vision: Allows operators to see inside the manhole.
Gas Sensor: Detects poisonous gases before entry.
Stable Design: Four legs provide stability in challenging environments.
Unlike traditional suction machines or grabbers that often fail to handle solid waste or reach tight corners, Bandicoot delivers thorough, efficient cleaning.
Impact So Far
Today, over 300 Bandicoots are operational across 19 states and 3 Union Territories. They have cleaned more than 6,000 manholes so far. The company’s ambitious goal is to deploy the robots in all 5,000 urban local bodies in India.
Beyond technology, GenRobotics focuses on human dignity. The startup trains sanitation workers to become robot operators. In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice’s NAMASTE initiative and NSKFDC, it has trained over 3,000 workers and successfully transitioned more than 1,000 into robotic operators.
The company even influenced policy — helping the government adopt the term “machine hole” instead of “manhole” to shift societal perceptions.
Expanding the Innovation Portfolio
GenRobotics is not limited to sewer cleaning. Its other innovations include:
Wilboar: A robot for cleaning deep wells in sewage treatment plants (STPs), where oxygen deficiency makes human entry extremely dangerous.
G-Crow App: A monitoring platform that tracks cleaning operations, ensures accountability, and improves transparency.
G-Gaiter: A robotic exoskeleton for patients with mobility issues, including stroke, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson’s. It helps patients relearn walking patterns. A pediatric version was recently launched for children.
Funding and Recognition
The startup has received support from prominent investors, including:
Rajan Anandan (ex-Google)
Anand Mahindra
Sridhar Vembu (Zoho Corp.)
It has won several prestigious awards, including the Swachhata Startup Award, Amrut Tech Challenge Award, and BIRAC Innovator Award.
Challenges on the Journey
Like most hardware startups, GenRobotics faced significant hurdles — limited early funding, lack of infrastructure, and the complexities of scaling a physical product. Building a skilled team and expanding sales also presented ongoing challenges. However, strong government partnerships and investor support have helped them push forward.
Looking Ahead
As India hosts the massive Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, three Bandicoot robots are working round-the-clock to maintain cleanliness and ensure pilgrim safety.
The founders’ vision extends beyond India. They aim to take their robotic solutions globally while continuing to innovate in sanitation, healthcare, and rehabilitation.
GenRobotics is more than a technology company. It is a mission-driven enterprise working to restore dignity to sanitation workers and prove that thoughtful innovation can solve deep-rooted social problems.
In the words of co-founder Rashid K:
“Technology is the key to solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges. But it’s the intent behind it that truly makes a difference.”
As Bandicoot and its sibling robots continue to clean India’s cities, they carry with them the hope of a future where no human has to risk their life or dignity for sanitation work.