As part of its Smart Cleaning Initiative, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun deploying autonomous cleaning robots developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
AuRoClean, an Autonomous Robot for Cleaning, originally developed by BARC for indoor environments such as nuclear facilities, railway platforms, airports, warehouses, and large shop floors. Designed to reduce manual intervention in hazardous or labour-intensive environments, AuRoClean is now being adapted to meet the challenges of public urban spaces.
AuRoClean is a battery-operated, fully autonomous floor scrubber-dryer, featuring:
• A differential drive system for superior manoeuvrability
• A 24V, 130Ah lithium-ion battery offering four hours of continuous operation
• A 400 mm scrubbing width and 850 mm squeegee width for maximum coverage
• 50-litre tanks each for clean solution and dirty water
• Laser- and ultrasonic-based obstacle detection
• Onboard mapping sensors and a user-friendly GUI for seamless operation
It offers both manual and autonomous modes, with built-in safety sensors like contact bumpers and sonar arrays. Capable of generating cleaning maps on the fly, the robot adapts quickly to new environments and performs cleaning tasks with minimal setup time.
This makes it especially suitable for large indoor spaces that require frequent and thorough cleaning, enhancing hygiene while reducing man-hour expenditure.
While initially conceptualized for deployment in warm zones of nuclear facilities, the robot’s design has proven versatile for a wide range of applications. Mumbai’s recent trials have seen AuRoClean efficiently clean complex urban layouts, adjusting to different types of debris and surface challenges.
The integration of intelligent software, laser-based localization, and precision scrubbing systems enables AuRoClean to maintain consistent hygiene standards in areas with high footfall. The robot not only ensures operational efficiency but also contributes to the larger goals of smart infrastructure, sustainability, and labor safety.
BARC’s initiative aligns with India’s broader push toward automation in public hygiene and facility management. With cities like Mumbai experimenting with robotic sanitation, the goal is to create a replicable model for other urban centers. It has also outlined the infrastructure required for further scale-up, including:
• Machining workshops, PCB fabrication, and electronic component testing facilities
• Computers with Robot Operating System (ROS) support
• Testing spaces and teams to oversee cleaning behaviour and robotics calibration
As urban sanitation evolves, such technologies represent a new era in facility and infrastructure maintenance where robots clean tirelessly, safely, and intelligently.