Jatayu: Pune startup develops machine for contactless waste picking

24 May 2021 CW Team

A Pune-based startup - Spruce Up, has come up with an innovative solution Jatayu, a litter picking machine to help sanitation workers gather litter without any contact.

The machine lets sanitation workers collect garbage without using their hands. The device was initiated to fight the accumulation of wastes from Covid-19 patients that threatens the safety of sanitation workers and could contribute to the spread of the pandemic.

The mastermind of the project, Abhishek Shelar is an alumnus of Harvard and IIT Bombay who wanted to secure the safety and dignity of the workers. His creation Jatayu is capable of solving the current obstacles put on the 'manual scavengers' handling the Covid-waste.

Covid-19 has not just hindered our health infrastructure but our waste management system too. A report filed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the National Green Tribunal in July stated that the nation produces close to 101 metric tonnes per day of bio-medical waste due to the Covid-10 pandemic.

This is where the existence of Jatayu becomes crucial as Shelar developed it as an attempt to protect about four million waste pickers in the country that deal with this waste.

Before developing this project, the founder of Spruce Up and his team discussed the possibility of their idea with various manufacturers, researchers and developers to produce their first product, Jatayu HD.

The contactless litter picking machine can fetch up to two tonnes of garbage per day.

One of the first buyers of the Jatayu machine was Delhi Municipal Corporation. Biotic Waste Management has reported that Delhi produced about 7.2 tonnes of Covid waste per day in 2020 and increased to produce 12.5-13 tonnes per day by the end of April this year.

Image Source

Also read: Plastic waste: India, Germany to stem discharge into water systems

Also read: Plastic ban: Centre to phase out single-use plastics by 2022

A Pune-based startup - Spruce Up, has come up with an innovative solution Jatayu, a litter picking machine to help sanitation workers gather litter without any contact. The machine lets sanitation workers collect garbage without using their hands. The device was initiated to fight the accumulation of wastes from Covid-19 patients that threatens the safety of sanitation workers and could contribute to the spread of the pandemic. The mastermind of the project, Abhishek Shelar is an alumnus of Harvard and IIT Bombay who wanted to secure the safety and dignity of the workers. His creation Jatayu is capable of solving the current obstacles put on the 'manual scavengers' handling the Covid-waste. Covid-19 has not just hindered our health infrastructure but our waste management system too. A report filed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the National Green Tribunal in July stated that the nation produces close to 101 metric tonnes per day of bio-medical waste due to the Covid-10 pandemic. This is where the existence of Jatayu becomes crucial as Shelar developed it as an attempt to protect about four million waste pickers in the country that deal with this waste. Before developing this project, the founder of Spruce Up and his team discussed the possibility of their idea with various manufacturers, researchers and developers to produce their first product, Jatayu HD. The contactless litter picking machine can fetch up to two tonnes of garbage per day. One of the first buyers of the Jatayu machine was Delhi Municipal Corporation. Biotic Waste Management has reported that Delhi produced about 7.2 tonnes of Covid waste per day in 2020 and increased to produce 12.5-13 tonnes per day by the end of April this year. Image SourceAlso read: Plastic waste: India, Germany to stem discharge into water systems Also read: Plastic ban: Centre to phase out single-use plastics by 2022

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..