IITian Divanshu Kumar leads Rs 15 cr robot startup for sewage
IITian Divanshu Kumar built Solinas to clean sewers with robots. Learn about HomoSEP, its funding, deployments, and why this matters for India’s sanitation.
IITian Divanshu Kumar turned an IIT Madras project into a robot startup this week. The venture aims to keep workers out of dangerous sewage tanks across India.
From campus lab to city sewers: the IITian Divanshu Kumar story
Divanshu Kumar grew up in Gaya, Bihar. He studied Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras from 2014 to 2019. He later pursued a master’s in Product Design at the same institute.
His final-year project focused on septic-tank cleaning. It was guided by Professor Prabhu Rajagopal. The work won the Bhagyalakshmi and Krishna Ayengar Prize for best master’s project in sanitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred the award.
That recognition pushed the team to think beyond the lab. The project became Solinas Integrity, an IIT Madras-incubated startup. Kumar co-founded the firm and now serves as CEO.
Solinas builds robotics and AI tools for water and sanitation. Its HomoSEP robot cleans septic tanks and manholes. It breaks sludge with a rotary blade and pumps out the slurry. Workers operate it from the surface, not inside the tank.
The company also offers Endobot for pipeline inspection. It runs inside narrow water and sewer pipes. Swasth AI maps underground assets and flags risks. This creates a full tech stack around hidden city infrastructure.
Key facts, as per reports:
- Solinas was founded in 2018 by Divanshu Kumar and Moinak Banerjee.
- The startup is incubated at IIT Madras and backed by DST-TBI support.
- HomoSEP Atom is deployed in 16 cities, according to DST.
- Solutions now run in 30+ cities across 15 states, as per company data.
- Dubai Municipality is also a customer, reports suggest.
Funding and revenue targets have grown in recent months. Forbes India reported a $5 million raise and a Rs 15 crore revenue target for FY25. Later reports noted a $5.5 million Series A1 round led by Mela Ventures and Hero Enterprise Family Office.
Social media posts suggest strong interest in the mission. Many users highlight the human angle. They note how robots can reduce deaths in sewers and septic tanks.
IITian Divanshu Kumar: why robots in sanitation matter now
The need for mechanised cleaning is urgent. Government data shared in Parliament noted 498 sanitation worker deaths between 2019 and mid-2026. Manual scavenging is illegal, yet risky entry continues in many places.
HomoSEP consolidates dangerous tasks into one machine. It handles desilting, solid-waste removal, suction and storage. A hydraulic boom and control console keep operators at a safe distance. This cuts exposure to toxic gases and drowning risks.
The business model aligns with national missions. AMRUT, Jal Jeevan Mission and NAMASTE channel large funds into urban sanitation. Estimates place annual outlays at $1.5 billion to $2 billion for such work. Robots can help cities meet these goals safely.
Deployment patterns show practical fit. In Madurai, the system tackled manhole blockages and reduced overflows. In Chennai, it cleaned septic tanks linked to apartments and housing boards. Such use cases build trust with municipal bodies.
Cultural and social significance is deep. Sanitation work carries stigma and high risk. Mechanisation supports dignity and safety for workers. It also modernises a sector that most citizens rarely see.
There are wider implications too. Predictive maintenance can cut emergency calls. GIS-based asset maps help plan repairs before failures. This shifts utilities from reactive fixes to data-driven care.
Investor interest signals market readiness. The $5.5 million Series A1 will scale manufacturing and deployments. Plans include expansion across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This could set a template for other emerging markets.
For engineering students, the path is instructive. Kumar’s first venture, Involve, focused on peer learning in schools. That early experience shaped a problem-first mindset. The sewage robot shows how campus ideas can scale to public impact.
Recognition has followed the work. Kumar was featured in the Forbes India 30 Under 30 list in 2025. The list placed him in the Industry and Manufacturing category. Solinas also won innovation and social-impact honours.
IITian Divanshu Kumar: What next for the robot startup and the sector
Growth will depend on city-level adoption. Procurement cycles can be slow. Clear tenders and outcome-based contracts can speed uptake. Training for operators will remain critical.
Technology roadmaps may add more autonomy. Better sensors can improve sludge detection. AI models can predict choke points before they fail. This would deepen the value beyond cleaning alone.
Policy support can accelerate change. NAMASTE’s push for mechanisation creates demand. State urban missions can bundle robots with hygiene and safety norms. This links funding to measurable worker protection.
In recent months, the team has expanded reach. Deployments now span more than 35 cities and 15 states. International pilots in the Middle East add new learning. Feedback from field crews shapes product upgrades.
For IITian Divanshu Kumar, the mission is clear. Replace hazardous human entry with safe, remote operations. Scale the tech where it saves the most lives. Build a business that lasts beyond grants and headlines. IITian Divanshu Kumar
IITian Divanshu Kumar: Conclusion
IITian Divanshu Kumar has turned a campus project into a city-scale sanitation startup. Solinas uses robots and AI to clean sewers without human entry. Funding is growing, deployments are widening, and the need is urgent. The next phase will test the scale, policy fit, and long-term impact of IITian Divanshu Kumar’s vision. IITian Divanshu Kumar
