Indian startup provides remote water quality monitoring for villages

April 8, 2022

The remote monitoring and management solution, RefillBot, can supply remote water quality monitoring that works anytime, anywhere.

The RefillBot team - Savitri Patil, Naveen G., and Prabhu S.

An Indian innovative startup, RefillBot, has developed a remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution aimed at improving access to clean water in local villages.

Powered by advanced sensing and IoT technologies that allow real-time, 24/7 water quality monitoring, the new RMM platform has been successfully rolled out across 100 villages in India’s Karnataka state in just four months.

According to UNICEF, less than 50 percent of India's population has access to safely managed drinking water, and the impact of waterborne diseases costs the country's economy approximately USD $600 million a year. RefillBot's RMM platform addresses this pressing issue by simplifying and enhancing the operation and maintenance of water purification plants in India's underserved areas.

Founded in 2019 by Savitri Patil, RefillBot develops and delivers plug-and-play, industrial internet of things-grade (IIoT-grade) monitoring and management for municipal utilities, as well as industrial applications like heating/ventilation, asset monitoring, and availability tracking in remote locations.

RefillBot's real-time, 24/7 water quality monitoring solution has been installed in 100 villages across Karnataka.

"Remote monitoring and management is a game changer for many industrial applications, especially water purification in remote village locations, where meeting essential daily needs is a constant challenge," said Savitri Patil, co-founder and CEO of RefillBot. “This new RMM offering has the potential to make a real and immediate difference to the lives of millions of people and create positive, long-term economic and health development outcomes for India's underserved as it rolls out."

RefilBot used the equipment from Arrow Electronics’ Internet of Things (IoT) Open Lab to test and verify its boards. It also consulted and collaborated with Arrow Electronics on system design and the selection of cutting-edge components. Arrow Electronics’ engineers and technical experts provided insight and recommendations to help RefillBot bring the solution to life, including:

Wireless module design: Developing a wireless module to communicate in real-time over mobile networks to help ensure access to cloud servers.
Smart sensors and data analytics enabling 24x7 always-on operation: With modest wireless network connectivity requirements, ranging from basic 2G up to fast 4G LTE, the RMM uses sensors embedded in dispensing systems, water filters, and switches to capture and communicate critical operational, consumption, and quality details.
Boosting antenna signal at remote locations: Formulating an LTE external antenna strategy to ensure optimum coverage in low signal areas without the need for extensive field testing.
Rapid prototyping: Arranging quick shipment of development kits and evaluation boards, which enabled RefillBot to experiment with data handling, I/O system design, and build a scalable solution during the pandemic.
Fast go-to-market: Providing the environment and equipment required for extensive RMM evaluation, GSM antenna tuning, and electromagnetic field and signal testing.