“Autonomous robot for cleaning rivers. Looks like it’s Chinese? We need to make these… right here… right now… If any startups are doing this…I’m ready to invest,” Anand Mahindra wrote.
. With the emergence of technology, society is slowly witnessing an increased use of robots in various fields of work. Anand Mahindra shared a video of one such instance on X. It shows an autonomous robot being used for cleaning a river. The machine left the business tycoon impressed – so much so that he is ready to invest in any startup working in this particular field in India.
. In the video posted on February 2, the autonomous robot collected waste and other garbage from the river. Mahindra wondered whether the robot was built in China because of which he pointed out the need for having such a ‘technological marvel’ in India.
. Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, was impressed by a river cleaning robot developed by a team of engineers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The robot, named “Krishi Dron,” is designed to clean rivers and water bodies efficiently while also monitoring water quality.
* What is Krishi Dron Robot:
The Krishi Dron robot is a semi-autonomous, solar-powered device that uses a combination of suction, filtration, and mechanical systems to remove debris, plastic waste, and other pollutants from water bodies. It is equipped with sensors to detect and monitor water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. The robot can also collect data on water flow and depth, which can be used for further analysis and planning of river conservation efforts.
The team behind Krishi Dron consists of researchers from the Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras, led by Professor G. Selvam. They have been working on this project since 2018, with the aim of addressing the growing issue of water pollution in India. The robot has already demonstrated its effectiveness in cleaning rivers and lakes during various trials.
Anand Mahindra, who is known for his interest in innovative technologies and sustainability, took notice of the Krishi Dron robot on Twitter. He praised the team’s efforts and expressed his willingness to support the project. In his tweet, Mahindra said, “This is the kind of innovation that gives me hope for our planet. Well done, Team IIT Madras!”
The Krishi Dron river cleaning robot has the potential to make a significant impact on water pollution control and management in India and other countries facing similar challenges. Its unique combination of cleaning and monitoring capabilities, along with its eco-friendly power source, make it a promising solution for maintaining the health of water bodies and ecosystems.
* About Anand Mahindra:
Anand Gopal Mahindra (born 1 May 1955) is an Indian billionaire businessman, and the chairman of Mahindra Group, a Mumbai-based business conglomerate. The group operates in aerospace, agribusiness, aftermarket, automotive, components, construction equipment, defense, energy, farm equipment, finance and insurance, industrial equipment, information technology, leisure and hospitality, logistics, real estate and retail. Mahindra is the grandson of Jagdish Chandra Mahindra, co-founder of Mahindra & Mahindra.
As of 2023, his net worth according to Forbes was estimated to be $2.1 billion. He is an alumnus of Harvard University and Harvard Business School. In 1996, he established Nanhi Kali, a non-government organisation that supports education for underprivileged girls in India.
He is included by Fortune Magazine among the ‘World’s 50 Greatest Leaders’ and was in the magazine’s 2011 listing of Asia’s 25 most powerful businesspeople. Anand was noted by Forbes (India) as their ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ for 2013. He was given the Padma Bhushan Award, the third highest civilian award in India, in January 2020.
