In a first in the country, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala will get a robotic rover to clean sludge from its canals and clear the rain water.
A deal has been inked by Adani Group, which runs the airport in the state capital, and Genrobotics, a startup firm which operates from Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram. Genrobotics CEO Vimal Govind has confirmed that the company has received a purchase order regarding this, reported Manorama Online.
The robotic rover named Wilboar helps simplify the cleaning process, by using high-pressure jets and grinders to dislodge and remove stubborn sludge, according to Genrobotics. Using its metallic track chain system with rubber coating, the rover can navigate through storage tanks and pits and access every corner. Wilboard is also equipped with two IP68 Machine Vision Technology, allowing to capure crystal-clear visuals in low-light conditions.
The deal comes after Adani Group was impressed by Genrobotics's efforts to rescue a sanitation worker, identified as Joy, from Amayazhinjan Canal. The startup used their robots, Bandicoot and Draco, to remove waste from the narrow canal. However, it was too late as Joy could not be saved.
Genrobotics has expressed its interest in supplying robots to the state government and Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation to clear waste as well as for rescue operations, reported Manorama Online.