A shocking statistic, 40% of all U.S. waste is from construction. Only 20% of that is recycled, and tons of raw material is just packed back into the earth. ZenRobotics looks to change that recycling figure. Their "Recycler ZR M2" can identify useful, recyclable, waste and sort it from the main stream. Using an array of sensors, like visible spectrum camers, NIR, Haptic, transillumination, 3D laser scanners, weight, and metal detectors to accurately sort the waste as it passes down the ZR M2's chambers. The device can also remove unwanted materials from the bit of interest, as in concrete from a support bar or electronics from a steel cabinet.
The ZR M2 is already being use in a testing atmosphere, and has learned to identify up to half of the construction waste. This will undoubtedly save in raw material resources and landfill expenses.
Lead researcher at ZenRobotics, Tuomas J. Lukka, said he envisions "the robot could one day sort household waste as well."
Eavesdropper
