Project: ROBotic End of life vehicle Recycler
One of the most challenging, but potentially also most rewarding, waste type to recycle today is disused end of life vehicles (ELV), e.g. cars and trucks. Waste from discarded automobiles comprises of a number of complex waste streams. Examples include non-ferrous and ferrous metals, electronic waste including valuable metals and rare earths, and the challenging mixture of plastics with multiple, potentially toxic plasticizers. There are quantities of valuable raw materials to extract for reuse, but current sorting methods are incapable of efficient recovery on the needed scale._x000D__x000D_The objective of the ROBER project is to develop a robot recycler for end of life vehicles. The robot system utilises advanced pre-sorting processes, artificial intelligence, machine learning and material sensing technologies for achieving unprecedented purity of sorted materials. The robot will use input from a plethora of sensors (currently metal detector, NIR, 3D laser scanner, video feed) using advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Further, the control system for the robotic arm makes extensive use of bio-inspired AI algorithms, making it possible, for the first time, to operate a robot in an unstructured environment instead of a strictly prescribed one, e.g. factory floor. Thanks to the AI controls, the robot can work based on the sensor inputs and not follow a pre-programmed routine. The new penetrative sensing technologies will enable to recognise coated objects and materials._x000D__x000D_The robot ELV recycling system will sort at least 10 different fractions at 98% purity at the speed of at least 1400 pick per hour. Pre-sorting techniques will be developed to help the robot to achieve the high purity. In addition, a movable dropping area will be designed to fit the system into a limited space._x000D__x000D_Some 2.6 billion vehicles will be produced during the period 2006-2030 as motorization reaches the developing world in significant numbers for the first time. As a result, the number of vehicles on the roads will rise by at least 50%, to 1.5 billion. With an average lifespan of 13-15 years in Western countries, every year nearly 27m (million) cars around the world reach the end of their useful life and are recycled. In EU alone, around 6.34m ELVs were processed in 2008. It was equal to 8–9m tons of waste and is expected to reach 14–17m tons by 2030._x000D__x000D_ELV recycling companies will benefit from using the robot by selling recycled materials with unprecedented purity. Major additional savings will be gained from reduced automotive shredder residue, much of which is currently landfilled._x000D__x000D_The project is coordinated by ZenRobotics Oy, a Finnish R&D performing SME. ZenRobotics is the world-leading expert in artificial intelligence-enabled robotic recycling systems. Busschers is a leading manufacturer of process input feed systems for e.g. the waste management industry. The ZenRobotics Recycler(tm) technology is currently implemented in the field of construction and demolition waste (CND) in a number of EU countries. The automotive waste recycling market offers considerable parallels for the type of technology used, and there are numerous lucrative market applications._x000D__x000D_The project P is Busschers Staalwerken B.V. from the Netherlands. Busschers is experienced in developing and setting up recycling equipment, including 3D sorting drum, density separator, rolling mill and method for manufacturing helically shaped metal strips. The company provides clients with specific solutions for recycling of e.g. building and demolition waste or organic waste, by delivering form single equipment components up to complete sorting installations.
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Acronym
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ROBER
(Reference Number: 7897)
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Duration
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01/03/2013 - 30/11/2016
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Project Topic
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The objective of the project is to develop a robot recycler for end of life vehicles. The robot system utilises advanced pre-sorting processes, artificial intelligence, machine learning and material sorting technologies for achieving unprecedented purity of sorted materials.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 9
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Project partner
