Media Release

Udupi, Jul 11: Final year Mechanical Engineering students at Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM), Bantakal developed a 'Foot-Operated Washbasin'.

The project was carried out by Rakshith N, Shreyas Poojary, Swasthik B Acharya and Vignesh Nayak under the guidance of Kiran N Bhat, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering.

Considering the increase in the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the students of SMVITM developed a new design of washbasin, which can be used in hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools and colleges. This work aims to avoid touching the water tap and to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

In this machine, one has to apply pressure on the ram, which is at the bottom of the machine using the foot. Once the pressure is applied, the water will flow from the tap and the hand can be washed. Hence the direct contact between hand and water tap can be avoided. This machine does not require any electric power for its operation and is completely made of mechanical components. Hence the durability and reliability of this machine are higher compared to electronic/sensor-based washbasin. The flow of water can be regulated by the foot itself hence wastage of water can be avoided. Also, this machine is fabricated at a very affordable cost.

The management, secretary Ratnakumar, principal Dr Thirumaleshwara Bhat, vice-principal Dr Ganesh Aithal, HOD of Mechanical Engineering Dr Sudarshan Rao K appreciated and congratulated the team.