In a significant move to modernise urban sanitation and improve the safety of sanitation workers, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has deployed an AI-powered robotic system to clean canals in the city under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0.
The robotic system, known as G-SPIDER, has been introduced at the Amayizhanchan canal near the railway station in Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram. The canal, especially the covered stretch beneath the Thampanoor Railway Station, has long posed challenges for routine cleaning due to limited vertical clearance, continuous water flow and restricted human access.
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) said the deployment aims to eliminate the need for sanitation workers to enter hazardous and unhygienic canal environments, thereby reducing the risks associated with manual cleaning in confined spaces.
The AI-powered canal-cleaning system was commissioned by Kerala’s Minister for Local Self-Governments, M. B. Rajesh. The initiative is the result of a collaboration between the municipal corporation and Genrobotic Innovations, a technology firm based in Technopark and known for developing the robotic scavenger Bandicoot.
Developed by Genrobotic Innovations, the G-SPIDER robot is designed to operate in complex canal environments without human entry. The system is based on a cable-driven parallel robotics architecture and uses artificial intelligence-powered vision systems and sensors to identify and remove accumulated waste.
Using advanced machine vision, the robot can detect different types of waste and adapt to varying flow conditions and structural obstacles. Its robotic mechanism, equipped with a claw-type grabber, allows it to precisely capture and remove debris such as plastics, sharp materials and other hazardous waste from the canal.
Extracted waste is automatically transferred to designated collection vehicles, enabling an end-to-end hands-free cleaning process—from waste detection to disposal.
MoHUA said the deployment of the robotic system represents a major step towards safer and more efficient waste management. By automating canal cleaning, the technology significantly reduces workers’ exposure to toxic gases, contaminated water and hazardous materials.
The robot is also designed to function effectively during high water levels and continuous flow conditions, ensuring uninterrupted maintenance of urban drainage systems. Regular cleaning through such technology is expected to improve drainage efficiency and help prevent urban flooding.
The Ministry added that the introduction of G-SPIDER marks a shift toward mechanised and technology-driven canal maintenance. The model could be replicated in other high-risk canals and drainage networks across the state to strengthen sanitation infrastructure.
The initiative reflects the broader goal of Swachh Bharat Mission to modernise urban sanitation systems while safeguarding the dignity, safety and well-being of sanitation workers.
