ROBOTS IN WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

There are different strategies for urban waste management. At present, solutions are being sought for example to the noise that the collections cause to the inhabitants in the cities, as well as the environmental impact. The introduction of technology and particularly robots in the last time, open an opportunity to develop different applications for the robots last mile. This work presents a comparative analysis based on existing literature of the environmental and economic impacts of different waste collection and management systems. It explores how a robotic system could be introduced into public spaces. For this purpose, a new deployment protocol for public spaces has been developed, addressing these interactions. Surveys and personalized interviews with pedestrians in the presence of the robot in an urban center were conducted. Based on the collected data, a protocol has been designed, along with a proposed design applicable to urban centers, small towns, or isolated residential areas. Many challenges remain, including a comprehensive environmental analysis of the robotic waste collection system, and calculating the actual costs of implementation, operation, and maintenance over time.