Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups disrupting smart cities. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. So, let’s take a look at promising robotics solutions for waste management in smart cities.
Heat Map: 4 Top Robotics Startups For Waste Management
For our 4 picks of robotics startups, we used a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 4 interesting examples out of 46 relevant solutions. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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Sadako – Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Sorting Systems
Sorting facilities contain mechanical separation stages, screens, and separators that prepare material for more efficient picking. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning technologies, and computer vision help identify the composition and structure of waste for precise sorting and further recycling. Spain-based Sadako offers RUBSEE, a real-time monitoring system that uses advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision to determine the composition (kind/quantity) of material present in the waste flow at every time. It aggregates and presents the information in a way that it can be easily analyzed.
Eagle Vizion – Optical Sorting Systems
Optical sorting technology allows identifying materials according to near-infrared (NIR) or ultraviolet (UV) spectral image. Canada-based Eagle Vizion’s optical sorting technology allows for efficient screening with a higher recovery rate than manual sorting while ensuring superior quality of sorted materials. Using this technology, it is possible to separate different types of plastic, either by type or by color.
Trashbot – Smart Bins
Smart bins with advanced robotics and artificial intelligence allow for dividing and sorting recyclables from waste at the point of disposal. The US-based company CleanRobotics develops Trashbot, a robotic trashcan that combines next-generation robotics and sensor technology to automatically separate recyclables from everyday trash.
FenBits Technologies – Trash Collection Robots
Collection robots have characteristics of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and/or drones as they are able to work with or without minimum human control. Such robots are often equipped with onboard cameras. Sharjah-based FenBits Technologies develops Bluephin, an intelligent autonomous waste collecting robot powered by AI. It is equipped with a wastebasket and an automatic lid that closes when the basket is full of trash, thus providing a secure waste collection system. These individual robots can operate as a swarm of robots for increased trash collection capacity.
What About The Other 42 Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 4 robotics startups showcased above are promising examples out of 46 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.
