Bandicoot Robot in Leh

Operators manage a Bandicoot robotic system while it cleans a manhole in Leh, Ladakh under high altitude and extreme climate conditions.

Robotic Manhole Cleaning in High-Altitude, Extreme-Climate Conditions

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Leh, one of the highest and coldest urban settlements in India, faces unique sanitation challenges: manholes freeze, manual cleaning is unsafe due to extreme altitude, and sludge buildup can paralyze sewer networks. The administration deployed Bandicoot, the world’s first robotic scavenger, to eliminate manual entry and ensure hygienic, year-round manhole maintenance.

DEPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Altitude: >11,000 ft above sea level.
Temperature Range: Operated in sub-zero to temperate conditions.
Application: Cleaning of municipal manholes and sewer junctions.
Cleaning Volume (Initial Phase): Over 100 manholes cleared.
Integration: Coordinated with Leh’s jetting units and vacuum tankers.

CHALLENGES ADDRESSED

Frozen and blocked manholes during winter months.
High altitude & low oxygen environments unsafe for human cleaning.
Manual scavenging ban enforcement in remote terrain.
Logistical constraints in transporting and operating heavy equipment.

TECHNOLOGY IMPACT

Remote-Operated Cleaning: No human descent into manholes.
Telescopic Arms & Jetting: Effective in removing hardened, frozen waste.
Compact Design: Navigated narrow lanes and confined spaces in old town areas.
Reliable operation in off-grid conditions using generator or electrical supply.

OUTCOMES & BENEFITS

First robotic manhole cleaning deployment in Himalayan region.
Completely eliminated manual entry in all covered zones.
Enabled cleaning during winter, avoiding seasonal health crises.
Boosted worker dignity by transitioning former manual scavengers to robotic operators.