This Low-Cost Robot Designed by Mumbai Students Could Clean up the Pollution in India’s Rivers
"The idea was to develop a machine, which could remove garbage on the surface level at a very low cost."
With water pollution continuing to be a major environmental threat to the nation, a group of determined students have developed a unique robot that may hold the key to solving the imminent problems posed by pollution.
The students of Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology (VESIT) in Mumbai, have designed a robot named SEARCh that can clean the waste that gets accumulated on the surface of water bodies, including rivers.
Here’s how it works
For starters, it is a raft-like structure made out of PVC pipes and used rubber. It’s got a conveyor belt that collects the garbage and drops it into a carrier that is also present on the raft.
The logic is simple: the waste will stick to the bottom of the conveyor belt and then deposit to the carrier tray.
Image for representation. Photo source
The device is connected to a computer and comes outfitted with a camera. The camera helps with the navigation as the robot’s movement can be controlled remotely.
The students who developed this robot (Kiran Parte, Ajit Krishnamoorthy, Piyush Devikar, Kedar Pednekar and Nishit Ahuja) conceived it in December 2016 and in the span of three months built a prototype. Given that they were able to cut costs while making the device, they have priced it between ₹12,000 and ₹15,000. This makes SEARCh at least 10 times cheaper than similar models available in the market currently, according to its creators.
Speaking to DNA, Kiran Parte, the team leader for the SEARCh project, said, “Tonnes of plastic waste is thrown into water bodies every day, which floats on the surface of the water; different kinds of waste such as food wrappers, plastic bags and flowers. This needs to be taken out with the help of river-cleaning machines, which are extremely costly and require a lot of space. The idea was to develop a machine, which could remove garbage on the surface level at a very low cost.”
You may also like: An Acid Attack Survivor’s Dream of Owning a Salon’s Coming True Thanks to Miranda House Students
The biggest river in India, the Ganga, also continues to be one of the most polluted water bodies. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved 20 projects worth ₹1,900 crore in order to implement Namami Gange, a government project to clean the river.
The college can be contacted here for further details
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
This story made me
-
97 -
121 -
89 -
167
Tell Us More
If you found our story insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.
Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-
By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.
Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?
Home
Read
Watch
Contribute
