Genrobotic Innovations, which
Received top honors under Social Enterprise category at ET Startup Awards 2021, planning to work with UKThe Malaysian and South Korean governments will deploy cleantech and medical Solution. In an interview with ET’s Diya Rekhi, its co-founder and CEO, Vimal Govind MK explained why the company focuses on manual scavenging and how it leverages technology to solve social issues. making plans. Edited excerpt:
Why did you develop your Robot Bandicoot?
During our research days, an autorickshaw driver in Kozhikode (Kerala) died accidentally while he was trying to rescue sanitation workers trapped inside a manhole. This drew our attention to the degrading practice of manual scavenging. We realized that this was an unresolved issue that persists despite technological advancements. Manual scavenging is one of the most dangerous jobs where humans are exposed to dangerous environments.
How many states have adopted Bandicoot?
Currently, Bandicoot is in action in 14 states. Our mission is to convert manholes to roboholes and rehabilitate sanitation workers into skilled bandicoot operators. We aim to provide better and safer ways by using robotics and AI technology to people working in extreme and unsafe environments. We primarily focus on designing and developing robotic solutions to address the most relevant social issues.
Do you want to expand your footprint?
We have set up an office in the UK and would like to cooperate with the government there as well Malaysia And South Korea Our cleantech and medical solutions for robots. Our robots are also attracting interest from South American countries and are being used in refineries in Nigeria.
How important is the social welfare aspect in your business model?
We are a group of socially committed innovators. Our robotic solutions Bandicoot, G-Gator (a robotic gait training platform for the rehabilitation of paralyzed patients) exemplify our commitment to society. All our innovations are rooted to overcome various human difficulties and empower people to live a life of harmony. We have rental and revenue sharing business models that provide affordable access to technology to the beneficiaries.
Read also:
India ahead of global fintechs to have more women leaders, says Lizzie Chapman
What are the unique features of Bandicoot?
The Bandicoot is designed with a robotic arm comparable to that of a human and has a multi-purpose end-effector that can perform picking, grabbing, shoveling, opening the mouth of a sewer line, etc., eliminating the need for manual intervention. The overall design is adaptable to all types of sewer works, allowing users to work in narrow lines without traffic congestion. It also has robotic legs that allow the robot to be positioned inside a manhole for a variety of cleaning activities. Bandicoot robots can save Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 per day as compared to manual scavenging.
Are you looking to raise funds?
We have completed the pre-series A round. We are now working to extend the Series A round. We look forward to using the investment to completely eliminate manual scavenging from India by 2025. This is the most important reason to use the money.
Read also:
Colleges should promote entrepreneurship culture: FamPay founder
What are your plans for the new year in terms of products?
We are working on developing Bandicoot with advanced utility and automation features to transform the sanitation industry. We are one step closer to revolutionizing the healthcare industry with G-Gator. Our skyscraper cleaning robot is also in R&D stage, and we are looking to launch it very soon.
How many robots have you deployed so far?
We have deployed over 100 Bandicoots in 14 states and various oil refineries across the country. We deployed more than 40 robots last year and by the end of this financial year, we are looking to sell 300 to 500 robots. Our main focus area is to develop robotic solutions for healthcare and solve difficulties in working environments like sanitation, oil & gas, refinery industries etc.
Read also:
Going public startups will turn profitable in three years: Sanjeev Bikhchandani