DESIGNING AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BASED ROBOT FOR CLOG REMOVAL

Abstract

ABSTRACT DESIGNING AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BASED ROBOT FOR CLOG REMOVAL One of the major issues faced in our country is the inadequate drainage system, particularly in cities. This situation is exacerbated by the need for manual cleaning of the clogged manholes, which puts low-skilled workers at risk. The proposed solution is an AI-based robot designed to.clean clogged manholes, addressing the dangerous and inefficient manual cleaning process. This robot will detect and remove blockages using machine learning algorithms, making the process safer and more efficient. Additionally, a mobile app with flow sensors will provide real-time clog detection, aiding in the robot's ·operation. This innovation aims to reduce human fatalities and health risks associated with manual sewage cleaning, while also mitigating frequent flooding and water stagnation issues in cities like Chennai. Despite the Supreme Court's order to abolish manual scavenging, the practice persists, leading to fatalities. The AI robot and mobile app aim to save lives and improve urban living conditions.

Specification

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and sensor technology to enable efficient
clog removal and comprehensive monitoring of manholes. AnAl-based robot autonomously navigates through
manholes, identifies various types of clogs using computer vision, and employs AI algorithms to adapt its
cleaning strategy for efficient removal. Integrated sensors continuously monitor toxic sewer gas levels,
temperature, and pressure inside the manhole, with the collected data processed by AI to identify hazardous
conditions. Immediate notifications are sent to mobile phones via a dedicatee: application, allowing prompt
action. The• application provides real-time updates on the robot's location, a graphical representation of
manhole status, and enables proactive maintenance planning. By combining these technologies, this im·ention
optimizes sewer maintenance and monitoring, reducing manual labor, minimizing response time, enhancing
environmental safety, and improving overall efficiency
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The underground sewage system in metropolitan cities like Chennai plays a vital role in maintaining a clean
and hygienic environment for the residents. However, the clogging of the sewEge system has become a major
issue that affects the daily lives of people, causing problems like drainage iss·Jes in thei1 apartments and the
leakage of sewage water on roads. While human carelessness is the primary cause of sewage clogging, it is
important to understand the specific factors that contribute to this problem. One of the main culprits is the
improper disposal ofnon-biodegradatle waste like plastics, including water bot:les, polythene· covers, and nondisposable
napkins. When these materials arc not disposed of properly, they end up clogging the pipes and
combining them with biodegradable waste to create a blockage. The resulting blockage creates an anaerobic
environment within the manhole, where toxic sewer gases are produced, in.;lucling carbon dioxide (C02),
methane (CH4), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The most dangerous of these gases is
hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which can cause serious health hazards and even be fllai in high concentrations. The
harmful sewer gases that arc produced over time can lead to increased pressure within the sewage system,
which can cause manhole covers to break. This can lead to major accidents, and pose a serious threat to public
safety. It is important to note that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a particularly dangerous gas that can be produced
in sewage systems and can cause serious health issues and even death. In addition to safety concerns, the
clogging of sewage systems also leads to issues during rainy clays. When there is no continuous flow in the
drainage system due to clogging, rainwater accumulates on the roads: causing VJatcr stagnation cu.1d noods. This
can lead to several health crises, including the outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera and dei1gue fever.
In addition to health issues, flooding also disrupts the peaceful lifestyle of metropolitan residents, causmg
inconvenience and damage to property. To prevent the issues caused by sewage clogging, it is essential to take
proactive measures to maintain the sewage system and prevent blockages. One cmcial step is the regular
cleaning and maintenance of the sewage system by manhole workers. However, it is important to note that
these workers often risk their lives by entering the manhole to remove the clogs. They may be exposed to toxic
sewer gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (C02), and methane (CI-14) which can cause
respiratory paralysis and even lead to death in extreme cases. In addition to the risk of exposure to toxic gases,
manhole workers are also susceptible to several diseases due to the unhygienic conditions prevailing inside the
manhole. These workers often work in difficult and uncomfortable conditions, and their safety must be
ensured. Therefore, there is a need for more efficient and safe sewer maintenance and monitoring practices. By
leveraging AI, robotics, and sensor technologies, it offers a trnnsformativc solution that improves operational
efficiency, enhances safety, protects the environment, enables proactive maintenance, and results in substantial
cost savings.
OBJECTIVES
~ Our primary objective is to address the critical issue of preventing the deaths of poor manhole workers by
lIll.l developing an AI-based robot for clog removal. To achieve this goal, we plan to integrate cutting-edge
Cll technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, robotics, and automation to design and develop a robot that can
detect and remove clogs from manholes efficiently and safely. Moreover, our project aims to mitigate drainage
problems in metropolitan cities that are caused by improper disposal of non-biodegradable waste. The robot we
propose to develop can even work in hazardous manholes that are filled with harmful gases. It is equipped with
advanced sensors that enable it to detect clogs quickiy and efliciently. Additionally, we plan to develop a
mobile application that will serve as a useful tool for the society. The application will promptly detect clog
formations in manholes and send notifications with the exact location of the clog, enabling us to eliminate it
quickly and prevent usual drainage problems such as leakages and water stagnation in metropolitan cities.
SUMMARY
The project aims to develop an advanced system that combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and sensor
technology to revolutionize sewer maintenance and monitoring processes. The system consists or an Al-based
robot for clog removal and a comprehensive monitoring system with AI integrated sensors. It includes a mobile
application that sends immediate notifications to mobile phones, providing real-time updates on the robot's location and monitoring data such as toxic sewer gases, temperature, and pressure prevailing inside the
manhole.






We claim,
Claim 1: A robotic System for clog removal in manholes. comprising: A. An Artificial Intelligence based robot
which is designed to navigate through manholes and to clear the clog. B. Identifies the clog in manholes using
AI integrated sensors.
Claim 2: The system of Claim I. wherein AI algorithms are trained using machine leaming techniques to
improve the accuracy of clog identitication and location, further comprising: A. AI algmithms analyze the
sensor data for precise identification of clog. B. Monitoring system with AI algorithms that analyze the
temperature and pressure data from manhole to provide insights into the sensor system's conditions.
Claim 3: The system of Claim I and 2, wherein a mapping feantre in the mobile application to visualize the
location of the clog within mobile phone accurately.
Claim 4: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein ihe sensor bot comprises of communication
module to send immediate notification via mobile application when the clog is detected.
Ch1im 5: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein an alert system in the mobile application to
notify the user when unsafe gas I<; vel is noticed, ft~rther comprising of Gas sensors with integrated AI models
to monitor and measure. the percentage of toxic sewer gases present inside the manhole.
Claim 6: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein an AI based robot equipped with robotic am1s to
remove the clog efficiently, further comprising:
A. An AI technology such as Tactility and dexterity to remove the clog efficiently as the man does.
B. It enables the targeted removal and minimizes the damage to the infrastructure .
C. Dynamically adjusting cleaning techniques based on their nature of clogs and size of pipes.
Claim 7: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the mobile applications usc the cloud database to
store the previous data of clogs, gas levels, temperature and pressure in manholes for future analysis and
optimization, further comprising:
A. Data analytics module that generates insights and reports based on the collected sensor data.
B. Provides the proactive maintenance and management of sewer system.
Claim 8: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein further comprising:
A. The imaging system integrated into the sensor bot to capture visual data of the clogs for analysis.
B. Analyzing the captured visual data of clogs to classify their nature and severity.
C. Applying appropriate cleaning techniques based on the classification to remove the clog effectively.
D. The wherein AI algorithms of the system analyze the historical clog data to identify patterns and optimize
the robot's cleaning strategies.
Claim 9: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein mobile application provides a user interface,
further comprising:
A. Remotely control and monitor the AI based robot during clog removal operations.
B. Easily operatable and user-friendly user interface with Google translate assistant thereby reducing the cost
of integrated Ul in the system.
Claim 10: The system of any of the preceding Claims, wherein AI clog cleaning robot reduces the risk of
damage or accidents during clog removal process, further comprising:
A. Robot design will prioritize safety feature to ensure wellbeing of both robot a:~d human operators.
B. Minimize the need of harsh chemicals or invasive methods that harm the environment and prevent the water
and land pollution.

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