ZenRobotics 4.0 Enhances Intelligence in Waste Sorting Automation

Sorting waste is a laborious and potentially risky task that people often tire of quickly. To address this challenge, ZenRobotics develops robots designed to handle the job. Their latest generation boasts advanced capabilities, able to identify over 500 types of waste with precision.

Since its inception in 2011, ZenRobotics had not yet deployed its robots for commercial use. However, in 2024, the company unveiled its fourth-generation technology, ZenRobotics 4.0, marking a significant advancement compared to its predecessors.

Operational Setup and Functionality of ZenRobotics 4.0

The robots, housed in units called cells, work alongside waste feed conveyor belts in various facilities. Using AI, they identify materials like wood, plastic, metal, or glass as they move past. The robot’s gripper then grabs the object and places it into its designated bin.

Previously, a single object recognition system handled materials identification for all cells along a sorting line. However, in ZenRobotics 4.0, each cell is equipped with its own compact “ZenBrain” AI setup. This enhancement is reported to improve precision and efficiency by 60 to 100% compared to previous generations, according to the company.

Customers have the option to select between two robots: the Heavy Picker 4.0 and the Fast Picker 4.0.

The Heavy Picker can handle items weighing up to 40 kg (88 lb) each and achieve up to 2,300 picks per hour. In comparison, the Fast Picker surpasses it with a speed of 4,800 picks per minute, although it can only lift items weighing up to 1 kg (2.2 lb).

Sorting Strategy and Prioritization Options with ZenRobotics 4.0

ZenRobotics proposes a strategy where Heavy Pickers sort heavier items initially along a waste stream, leaving lighter items for downstream Fast Pickers. Alternatively, the system can prioritize sorting the most valuable materials first to prevent them from being overlooked due to time constraints.

You can witness the Fast Picker 4.0 in action in the accompanying video.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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