Auroville’s drinking water shortage is expected to ease with German collaboration, through the installation of Atmosbox, an advanced water solution which produces clean drinking water directly from the air.

The first Atmosbox unit is being installed at the Auroville Visitors Centre. The system uses atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology and can also filter locally available groundwater. Future upgrades will allow rainwater treatment and purification. It is a fully containerised unit powered by a 13kW solar system with battery storage, enabling round-the-clock operation without reliance on the power grid. Each unit can generate 500 litres of water daily and filter up to 250 litres per hour from local sources.

According to a press note, Samuel, a technical lead from Germany, is currently in Auroville to lead the project., and his visit has also strengthened collaboration with STEM Land, a technology hub focused on training rural youth. Highlighting this potential, he said that STEM Land’s strong semiconductor expertise can support technical upgrades for Atmosbox in India. The partnership aims to combine water sustainability with advanced technology and community skill development.