Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh on Wednesday launched G-Spider, an AI-powered robotic sewer cleaning system developed by Thiruvananthapuram-based startup Genrobotics. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Local Government Minister MB Rajesh on Wednesday launched G-Spider, an AI-equipped robotic canal cleaning system developed by startup Genrobotics at the Amayizhanjan canal near Thampanoor in Thiruvananthapuram. The robotic system was first deployed near the site where sanitation worker N. Joy dared to clean the canal in 2024 and lost his life.
“I promised then that no one would ever have to do a job like Joy again. That promise has been kept today. Apart from ensuring that no one else has to go through what Joy experienced, this is also an important step in the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam project. After the incident, Vimal Govind, one of the owners of Genrobotics, approached me about such a project and advised him about the design idea. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was entrusted with its implementation on the same day,” wrote Mr. Rajesh on his Facebook page.
He said Genrobotics designed and installed the system for free. The company is responsible for construction work, operation and maintenance. Of the total seven CBG plants to be commissioned in the state for solid waste disposal, one will be installed in the capital, he said.
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh presided over the function. Mr. Rajesh said that the civic body will explore all possibilities of using the technology developed by the company.
The G-Spider is designed to operate in complex and high-risk channel environments without the need for human input. Built on a cable-driven architecture of parallel robotics integrated with visual and sensor intelligence with artificial intelligence, the system enables accurate detection, assessment and removal of accumulated waste. It uses machine vision and intelligent sensors to autonomously detect and evaluate waste in real time. The system dynamically adapts to changing waste types, flow conditions and structural constraints in the channel.
Published – 28 Jan 2026 20:55 IST
