A team of researchers and students from Chandigarh University (CU) has been granted a patent for developing a solar-powered mobile robotic system aimed at automating garbage collection, segregation, and disposal. The patent for the invention, titled 'Garbage Collection System and Method Thereof,' was issued by the Patent Office, Government of India, in June 2026.
The development team includes Prof. (Dr.) Nitin Sharma from the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE), former ECE professor Dr. Paras Chawla, and three ECE students: Hemant Kalia, Jayant Pathak, and Ritesh Sharma.
Addressing the challenges of municipal solid waste management, Prof. (Dr.) Nitin Sharma explained that manual waste collection and segregation are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and pose health risks to sanitation workers due to the mixing of solid and liquid waste. He noted that segregating waste at the source helps reduce transport and treatment costs, though human effort is traditionally still required to collect waste from bins.
The newly patented robotic system is designed to operate without human intervention. Mounted on 360-degree wheels, the machine uses a vision sensor to detect objects and distinguish between garbage and obstacles. Once identified, a robotic arm collects the waste. A capacitive sensor then analyzes whether the item is wet or dry, directing it to the respective storage chamber on the housing.
The system incorporates built-in compressors in both chambers to reduce waste volume and increase storage capacity, monitored by a pressure sensor. Additionally, the unit includes a smoke sensor for safety, a GPS module for tracking, a fingerprint lock for access control, and an Arduino microcontroller to coordinate operations. Solar panels mounted on the machine generate electricity to charge an onboard battery, with a light sensor adjusting the panel position toward sunlight to maximize efficiency.
Commenting on the university's research output, Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director at Chandigarh University, stated that the institution has filed over 6,100 patents, with 5,800 published and 260 granted. He noted that the university allocates an annual budget of Rs 15 crore for research and operates multiple research centers and centers of excellence.
"The patent granted to the Chandigarh University team highlights the growing emphasis on academic research addressing localized civic challenges. Developing automated, renewable-powered solutions for waste management presents a practical approach to improving municipal efficiency and reducing labor-intensive hazards. For the engineering ecosystem, bridging academic innovation with tangible intellectual property is an essential step toward scaling technological applications in the real world." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
