Husky the robot is helping villagers in a rural part of southern India with the arduous daily task of fetching water from the local well.

Husky was brought to the village of Ayyampathy by computer science researchers from universities in the UK and India.

According to data published by Water Aid earlier this week, more than one in 10 people in India – 12.5 per cent – do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. Instead, they have to carry bottles to a well or other water source, a time-consuming and energy-sapping task.

The robot, which is able to carry three 20-litre bottles of water at a time, is operated by villages using a remote control.

Husky "speaks" to the 11 volunteers, who range in age from 15 to 70, asking them to place the bottles on top of it and show it the way home. It also thanks them and reminds them to wash their hands before their next meal.