Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology
Course No : IPE 3104
Course Name : Product Design & Development Sessional
Supervisor MD. MOJAHIDUL ISLAM ASIF
Automated Drain Cleaner
By, Group-25
ID Name Section
20220207146 MD. SAHIM MOLLAH A
20220207148 MD. RAFI MOLLIK A
20220207122 FARHANA AKTER POMI A
Department: Mechanical & Production Engineering
Program : B.Sc. in Industrial & Production Engineering
Year :3
Semester : 1
CHAPTER 2
MARKET ANALYSIS
2.1 Product Name and Image:
Product Name: Automated Drain Cleaner
Product Image:
Waste collection Bin
Driving Motor
Chain & Sprocket
Mechanism
Metal Mesh for
Filter Waste
Supporting
Frame/ Legs
Fig: Probable sketch of “Automated Drain Cleaner”.
2.2 Introduction:
A market survey is a vital step in understanding real-world needs, user behaviors, and potential
demand for any product. It involves collecting direct feedback from targeted users, stakeholders,
and the public to validate a product idea and guide its development in a practical and effective
direction. By analyzing current problems, user expectations, and willingness to adopt new
technology, market surveys help ensure that the final product is not only technically sound but
also socially and commercially viable.
This market survey was conducted to assess the need and acceptance of an Automated Drain
Cleaner — a low-cost, efficient, and semi-autonomous solution for cleaning roadside and open
drains. In many cities and towns of Bangladesh, drainage systems are clogged regularly due to
poor maintenance, labor shortages, and unplanned waste disposal. Traditional manual cleaning is
not only inefficient but also hazardous for workers. The Automated Drain Cleaner aims to
address these issues by reducing human involvement, saving time and labor, and improving
urban hygiene.
The survey targeted a wide range of respondents including area residents, city corporation
officials, cleaning staff, and other stakeholders from both government and private sectors. It was
designed to identify key pain points in the current drainage cleaning process, gather opinions on
automation, and evaluate interest in adopting such a machine. The findings from this survey will
guide design improvements, price considerations, and overall implementation strategy for the
product, ensuring it meets the real needs of both service providers and the communities they
serve.
2.3 Need Statement:
In rapidly growing urban and semi-urban areas of Bangladesh and many developing countries,
proper drainage is a critical part of public infrastructure. However, maintaining these drainage
systems remains a major challenge due to poor waste management, irregular cleaning schedules,
shortage of manpower, and reliance on outdated, manual cleaning methods. Blocked and
overflowing drains not only create waterlogging but also contribute to foul odors, mosquito
breeding, health hazards, and environmental pollution — especially during the monsoon season
when the risk of flooding increases significantly.
Municipalities and government agencies are often overwhelmed with complaints related to
clogged drains but lack the necessary tools or workforce to ensure timely and effective cleaning.
Manual drain cleaning is labor-intensive, unhygienic, time-consuming, and often dangerous for
the workers involved. Moreover, the lack of a consistent and automated solution leads to
inefficiency, increased costs, and poor service delivery in urban sanitation.
Therefore, there is a clear and urgent need for an affordable, safe, and efficient system that can
clean roadside drains with minimal human involvement. The Automated Drain Cleaner is
designed to meet this need by offering a semi-automatic mechanical system that can collect and
remove solid waste from drain surfaces continuously. The machine reduces the physical
workload of cleaning staff, lowers operational time and cost, and ensures better hygiene and
safety. It also helps municipalities maintain cleaner streets, improve public health, and respond
quickly to drainage issues before they escalate into disasters.
By addressing this widespread civic problem through a simple but effective engineering solution,
the Automated Drain Cleaner not only fulfills a local infrastructure gap but also aligns with
broader goals of sustainable urban development, smart city initiatives, and innovation in public
service delivery.
2.4 Target Customer:
• City Corporations and Municipalities:
These local government bodies are primarily responsible for managing urban sanitation and
drainage systems. Due to frequent complaints of waterlogging, blocked drains, and
unsanitary environments, they need efficient and cost-effective solutions. The Automated
Drain Cleaner would help them reduce dependency on manual labor, ensure regular
maintenance, and improve public health standards in cities and towns.
• Government Departments (PWD, WASA, LGED, etc.):
Public Works Department (PWD), Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), and
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) often oversee larger infrastructure and
drainage networks. They require reliable and scalable systems for routine maintenance and
flood management. The automated cleaner can support them in keeping main drains and
culverts free from blockages, especially during the monsoon season.
• Private Cleaning and Waste Management Companies:
Contracted by municipalities or industrial zones, these companies handle waste collection
and drainage cleaning services. Adopting an automated cleaning machine can increase their
efficiency, reduce workforce strain, and offer clients a modern and hygienic solution.
• Industrial Zones and Factories:
Large manufacturing plants and industrial estates often have in-house drainage systems that
require frequent cleaning to avoid blockages or chemical buildup. The automated system
offers them a low-maintenance, time-saving solution, ensuring smooth operations and
workplace safety.
• Real Estate Developers and Housing Societies:
Gated communities and large residential complexes with private drainage infrastructure often
face challenges in keeping their internal drains clean. This product can be marketed as a
long-term maintenance solution that reduces manual effort, improves sanitation, and adds
value to property management.
• Smart City Projects and Urban Development Authorities:
As part of the “Smart City” initiatives, urban planners and development boards are adopting
automated systems to modernize infrastructure. The Automated Drain Cleaner aligns well
with their goals of sustainability, automation, and public health improvement.
2.5 Areas & Location of Survey:
• Dhaka South City Corporation, Gulistan
• Dhaka North City Corporation, Uttara
• Private Cleaning Companies, Google Form
• Students, Several Areas
2.6 Survey Result:
1. What kind of organization do you work in?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
City Corporation/Municipality 13 18.3%
Government Office (PWD, WASA, etc) 15 21.1%
Private Cleaning Company 6 8.5%
(Hydrokleen)
Student 11 15.5%
Others 26 36.6%
Table 2.6.1: Question 1 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.1: Question 1 Pie Chart
2. What problems do you see or face with drains?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Bad Smell 22 31%
Not Cleaned in Time 30 42.3%
Mosquitoes or disease 19 26.8%
Table 2.6.2: Question 2 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.2: Question 2 Pie Chart
3. How often are drains cleaned in your area?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Every Week 3 4.3%
Every 2 Weeks 3 4.3%
Once a Month 6 8.6%
Not Regularly 58 82.9%
Table 2.6.3: Question 3 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.3: Question 3 Pie Chart
4. Who should be responsible for keeping drains clean?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Government/City Corporation 16 22.5%
Local People 4 5.6%
Both Together 48 67.6%
Not Sure 3 4.2%
Table 2.6.4: Question 4 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.4: Question 4 Pie Chart
5. Have you heard of any machine that can clean drains automatically?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Yes 16 22.9%
No 43 61.4%
Not Sure 11 15.7%
Table 2.6.5: Question 5 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.5: Question 5 Pie Chart
6. Would you like to see or try an Automated Drain Cleaning machine?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Yes 59 83.1%
No 1 1.4%
Maybe 11 15.5%
Table 2.6.6: Question 6 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.6: Question 6 Pie Chart
7. What features are most important in a drain cleaner? (Choose up to 3)
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Low Price 40 56.3%
Easy to Use 55 77.5%
Works in All Weather 46 64.8%
Can Collect Dirt Itself 30 42.3%
Works without People 30 42.3%
Long-Lasting 34 47.9%
Table 2.6.7: Question 7 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.7: Question 7 Graph
8. What is a fair price for a smart drain cleaning machine (for government or area use)?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Less than 10,000 BDT 17 23.9%
10,000 – 20,000 BDT 32 45.1%
20,000 – 50,000 BDT 10 14.1%
More than 50,000 BDT 2 2.8%
Not Sure 10 14.1%
Table 2.6.8: Question 8 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.8: Question 8 Pie Chart
9. Would you support using machines to clean drains? Why?
Fig 2.6.1: Question 9 Comments
10. How important is it to keep drains clean in your area?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Very Important 70 98.6%
A Little Important 1 1.4%
Not Important 0 0.00%
Table 2.6.10: Question 10 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.10: Question 10 Pie Chart
11. Do you think using smart/eco-friendly machines is a good idea for cities?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Yes 69 97.2%
No 2 2.8%
Maybe 0 0.00%
Table 2.6.11: Question 11 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.11: Question 11 Pie Chart
12. Would you like to see a demo of the new machine in your area?
Options Number of Response Response Percentage
Yes 61 85.9%
No 2 2.8%
Maybe 8 11.3%
Table 2.6.12: Question 12 Frequency Table
Fig 2.6.12: Question 12 Pie Chart
13. Any idea or advice for better drain cleaning in your area?
Fig 2.6.13: Question 13 Comments
2.7 Key Findings:
The survey, conducted with over 70 participants, provided valuable insights into public
perceptions of urban drainage issues and the potential for an Automated Drain Cleaner. Around
40% of respondents were affiliated with City Corporations and government offices like PWD
and WASA, while the rest were students, private workers, and others. The most common
problems identified were delayed cleaning (40%) and the risk of mosquitoes and disease (25%)
due to unclean drains. Approximately 85% reported irregular drain cleaning, emphasizing the
need for consistent maintenance.
67.6% of respondents believed that local people and government bodies or city corporations both
should be responsible for drain maintenance. Regarding awareness, 61.4% had never heard of
automated drain cleaning machines, but almost 85% expressed interest in seeing or trying one.
The preferred features included affordability, ease of use, and all-weather functionality, each
selected by over 60% of participants. 45% of respondents expected the machine to be priced
between 10,000–20,000 BDT, while others were uncertain or preferred lower costs.
Almost 100% of respondents agreed that keeping drains clean is “very important”, and eco-
friendly solutions were widely supported. Over 85% expressed interest in seeing a demo of the
machine in their area, suggesting strong potential for market interest and adoption.
Key Points from Findings:
• Delayed cleaning and mosquitoes/disease were the most common drainage issues.
• City corporations, government bodies and local people were identified as responsible for
drain maintenance.
• A significant portion of participants (67.6%) had no prior knowledge of automated drain
cleaning machines, though 83.1% showed interest in trying them.
• Preferred features included low price, user-friendliness, and all-weather capability, each
being highly prioritized.
• 45% of respondents expect the machine to cost between 10,000-20,000 BDT, with a
preference for affordability.
• Nearly 100% of participants agreed on the importance of maintaining clean drains and
supported using eco-friendly solutions.
• A high level of interest in seeing a demo of the machine (85%) was noted.
2.8 Conclusion:
The market survey has provided clear insights into the pressing issues surrounding urban
drainage systems and the potential role of the Automated Drain Cleaner in solving these
challenges. Respondents consistently highlighted the problems of delayed cleaning and the
health risks posed by unsanitary drains, with a strong demand for more efficient and timely
solutions. While a majority of participants were unfamiliar with the concept of automated drain
cleaning machines, there was a notable level of interest, with 60% expressing a desire to see or
try the product.
The findings emphasize the need for an affordable, easy-to-use, and eco-friendly product that can
operate in all weather conditions. Nearly 100% of respondents agreed on the importance of
keeping drains clean, further reinforcing the necessity for solutions that not only address public
health but also align with environmental sustainability.
In conclusion, the survey indicates a strong market potential for the Automated Drain Cleaner,
with clear expectations for affordability and functionality. The product, if developed with these
considerations in mind, has the opportunity to meet a critical need in urban areas, with
government bodies likely playing a central role in its implementation. Moving forward, the
survey findings provide a solid foundation for product development and market strategy.
