MUMBAI, India, July 13 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202631076574 A) filed by C. V. Raman Global University; and National Institute Of Technology Karnataka Nitk on June 20, 2026, for Voice-Actuated Pneumatic Waste Segregation Module With Computer Vision-Based Safety Interlock For Municipal Vehicles.
Inventors include Ashutosh Rath; Prof. Ritanjali Majhi; Mayank Kumar; Prof. Ganapati Panda; and Dr. Ram Chandra Barik.
The application for the patent was published on July 10, 2026, under issue no. 28/2026.
Abstract: The present invention discloses a voice-actuated pneumatic waste segregation module with a computer vision-based safety interlock system designed for retrofitting onto existing open-body municipal solid waste collection vehicles. The module enables sanitation workers to operate waste bin compartment lids hands-free using spoken voice commands in regional Indian languages, processed by an offline voice recognition unit that functions without internet connectivity and is therefore reliable in outdoor municipal environments. Upon receiving a valid voice command specifying the waste category, the system energizes the corresponding electric linear actuator to raise the designated bin lid, while simultaneously activating a computer vision monitoring subsystem running on a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B co-processor to surveil the open aperture for the presence of human hands or limbs. The safety interlock logic, executed by an Arduino Mega 2560 embedded microcontroller, actively suppresses the lid closure command while the vision system detects human presence in the danger zone, thereby eliminating pinch-point hazards during waste dumping. Once the aperture is confirmed visually clear for a configurable buffer duration, an audio alert is issued and the actuator automatically retracts to close the bin lid. The complete assembly is housed in an IP66-rated weatherproof enclosure with standard vehicle mounting hardware, operates from the existing vehicle battery through DC-DC converter power conditioning, and can be installed on standard collection vehicles without structural modification. The invention addresses critical occupational health and safety deficiencies in current manual waste collection practices in India, provides a cost-effective alternative to high-capital hydraulic systems, and is configurable for multiple regional language environments, positioning it as a practical technology for municipal fleet modernization under the Swachh Bharat Mission mandates.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
