Social robot 'Pepe' will nudge children studying in schools run by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee to adopt better hygiene practices.
'Pepe'developed by researchers from the University of Glasgow in collaboration with the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University in Indiawill be used inDSGMC schoolsto givea fresh approach to hygiene, said Manjinder Singh Sirsa, president of the Committee.
"Pepe robots each costing around Rs 7000 will be mounted onthe wall above hand washing stationsnear wash rooms to inspire nearly 20,000 children studying in coeducation institutionstowash their hands properly," he said.
Thespeakingrobot will interact with children as they will pass by the sink and encourage them to practise proper handwashing, Sirsa said.
The 12 branches of Guru Harkishan Public School, run by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee willinstallproper hand washing machinestopromote hygiene practices among children, he said.
"DSGMC willinstall hand washing stations that are appropriate for the school and place them inareas where they will best serve the students."
School kids below 10 years from marginal sections of society who are most affected by poor sanitation and hygienewill be especially targetedunder the programme, Sirsa said.
"Anexclusive mobile app will be developed for monitoring the success of the programme. School teachers willtake photos of hygiene practices adopted by children on the campus and post it on themobile application regularly," he said.
Under the initiative, teachers will have to click photos with various facilities inside schools, including hand-washing units, toilets andcleanliness of class rooms, play grounds and the campusto cultivate habit of handwashingand cleanliness among school students, Sirsa added.
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