In a significant step toward modernising waste management and reducing risks to sanitation workers, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has deployed an AI-powered robotic system called ‘G-Spider’ to clean waste from the Amayizhanjan Canal in the state capital. The system was officially inaugurated on January 28, 2026 by Local Self-Government Minister M. B. Rajesh, highlighting the state government’s push to integrate technology in environmental sanitation efforts.
The G-Spider, developed by Kerala-based startup Gen Robotics, is designed to automatically collect and remove solid waste from the waterway with minimal human intervention, addressing serious safety concerns in manual canal cleaning operations. The move comes in the wake of a tragic incident in July 2024, when a sanitation worker named Joy lost his life during a manual cleaning task in the same canal, prompting demands for safer alternatives.
During the launch event, Minister Rajesh described the project as a “major step towards a waste-free Nava Kerala” and emphasised the government’s broader commitment to strengthening sanitation infrastructure across the state. He noted that the deployment of robotic solutions like G-Spider could be expanded to other water bodies in Kerala based on early results.
The G-Spider’s introduction is part of a wider strategy that has already shown results in municipal waste efforts; officials point to improved performance of the Haritha Karma Sena waste collection programme, which has increased collection efficiency from about 37 % to nearly 98.5 %. Additionally, the state plans to start building four new sanitary waste treatment plants in the near future to boost scientific processing capacity.
Gen Robotics funded the cost of the robotic system, while the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will oversee its installation and ongoing operations. Local officials and technologists attended the launch, underscoring collaborative efforts between government bodies and technology innovators in addressing environmental challenges through automation and AI.
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