Shilpa Pawar would never turn away from piles of garbage, instead she would stare at it and think about ways to find a solution which could lead to its proper segregation. An MBA graduate and a geographic information system (GIS) professional, such was her will to crack the code of the complex cycle of garbage, that she, along with Raghu Raj, who runs Sunsoft Technologies, created a device - Space Eye Monitoring System for BBMP's garbage collection auto.
"As we started to work with MS Ramakanth, member of Solid Waste Management, we went around to monitor the segregation of wet and dry waste. While we were on our rounds, we realised that some autos were not collecting garbage on designated roads and neither was any routine time being maintained. Though the citizens vouched that they were segregating waste, they felt that the garbage was getting mixed in the BBMP autos," says Shilpa.
In order to address this issue, the duo started looking at technologies like Global Positioning System (GPS) and GIS maps using wireless cameras.
"We came up with the Space Eye Monitoring System which costs about Rs 8000. The device has the ability to track autos in real time using a GIS map. An added advantage is the wireless camera with a transmitter, which has four hours battery backup. It helps us to monitor the auto movement, which can be viewed and recorded remotely from start to end. Secondly, with a simple web link that can shared on Facebook, the residents can watch the live movement of the auto with continuous video streaming," she says.
According to her, the speciality of this instrument is that it is compatible with any android device for viewing or recording. "The device will show the history of the route map with speed and total travel time and it is apt to be used in outdoor conditions," she adds.
Currently the device has been running on trial basis at ward no 166, Karesandra Ward, Padmanabhnagar, Banashankari II stage. "To start with, we are running a pilot project. We are covering up to 10 to 15 streets, which is one-fourth of the ward. We have a dedicated person to monitor the system. In a few days, we will be presenting the device to Vijay Kumar, joint commissioner of South. We will be explaining him about the importance of this device, which is convenient to install in autos and lorries. It is easily attachable and detachable. If found usable, they can further recommend our device to other wards in consultation with the BBMP authorities," she says.