AI-backed robots to ensure error-free recycling
IN THE process of recycling, the flawless management of waste holds paramount importance for the proper and efficient reuse of natural resources. FANUC, a company producing robotic solutions for various industries, has collaborated with the smart waste management startup Recycleye to develop the LR Mate 200 iD/4SC, a 6-axis robot offering artificial intelligence vision technology to the waste management industry.
Able to collect up to 33,000 products from the recycling line with up to 99% accuracy in a 10-hour shift, LR Mate 200 iD/4SC demonstrates an increase of up to 12% in sorting efficiency and up to 10% improvement in line output.
As pollution caused by waste remains one of today’s most serious environmental issues, the necessity of recycling grows with each passing day. In areas where human resources fall short in recycling millions of tons of waste annually, the presence of robots capable of autonomously performing this task expedites the process to achieve faster and error-free results.
Through a collaboration with Recycleye Robotics, a smart waste management startup, FANUC, a leading provider of numerical control systems in global markets, has introduced a new breath to waste management with the LR Mate 200 iD/4SC, a 6-axis robot developed as a result of their partnership. The robotic waste collection system, where FANUC’s over 60 years of automation expertise meets Recycleye Robotics’ artificial intelligence support, automatically separates recyclable materials into different material classes such as plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard with near perfection.
NEW GENERATION IN RECYCLING
Teoman Alper Yiğit, general manager of FANUC Türkiye, highlights the inadequacy of traditional sorting methods in meeting expectations in terms of quality and quantity in today’s world.
“Recycleye Robotics uses artificial intelligence-supported computer vision to identify each item in complex waste streams. The FANUC LR Mate 200 iD/4SC robot at the heart of the system then automatically sorts these recyclable materials into different material classes such as plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard. This system, which is the most accurate and efficient artificial intelligence-powered robotic collection solution available worldwide today, can collect up to 33,000 products per robot in a 10-hour shift, operating 24/7,” said Yiğit.
“The compact, short-arm, mini robot LR Mate 200 iD/4SC, which is easy to integrate into narrow spaces, and the artificial intelligence vision technology integrated by Recycleye Robotics accelerate the business process. In addition, the advanced sensors of the robot eliminate wasted movement and can return to the same millimeter point even after working 24/7 for eight years.”
VACANT POSITIONS IN SECTOR
Yiğit emphasized another significant benefit of the artificial intelligence technology developed by Recycleye for recycling facilities and also highlighted expectations that there 89,000 vacant positions in the recycling sector in the next four years.
“A recent report by the CIWM revealed that 60% of respondents struggled to find employees last year, and it is estimated that there will be 89,000 vacant positions in the waste and recycling sector by 2028,” said.
“The LR Mate 200 iD/4SC robot makes precise collections like an employee, with a superior vision system as sensitive as the human eye. Most importantly, the robots do not take breaks, slow down, get tired or quit, eliminating interruptions in the process. This is crucial because finding employees for waste collection can be very challenging. Additionally, the robot’s ability to easily handle hazardous materials that could otherwise injure workers in recycling facilities is one of its greatest advantages.”