Rise of the robot cleaners as scientists develop machines to tidy up trains
ROBOTS could soon be deployed on trains to clean up after untidy passengers.
Scientists say they are close to developing a ‘bot that can operate under trains’ seats and tell the difference between litter and personal items that are supposed to be there.
The team at HeriotWatt University in Edinburgh is also working to build an autonomous drone, which would allow closer inspection of railway bridges.
Use of robots has been on the rise for a number of years, with manufacturing relying heavily on automated processes.
But now the machines are beginning to creep into workplace roles usually occupied by people, such as the robotic porters recently deployed at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Dr Mustafa Suphi Erden of Heriot-watt University is leading the research. He said: “Initially our work will focus on developing a robotic mobile platform that can autonomously navigate in the confined space in between and under the seats of a train carriage.
“We will then develop an algorithm to detect cleaning and hazardous situations using a detailed set of train carriage images.
“We will also be creating a manipulator to integrate with the mobile platform to collect predefined objects regularly dropped or discarded by rail passengers such as bottles, paper cups, newspapers, and also biologically dangerous objects such as blades, needles, and injectors left behind by the passengers.”
He added: “Our work will initially focus on developing the drone technology that can navigate itself using proximity sensors and webcams.
“This level of accuracy, including maintaining an accurate distance from the surface of the arch, means every inch of the arch will be inspected in detail.”
The train-cleaning and bridge-observing projects are being developed in partnership with rail industry body RSSB, which is funding two four-year PHD studentships as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
Giulia Lorenzini, RSSB’S senior partnerships and grants manager, said: “The rail industry is only just starting to get to grips with what robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) applications have to offer.
“It’s great to be working with a leading research institution in the field.”