ZenRobotics has introduced ZenRobotics 4.0, its fourth generation of waste sorting robots that have new features and upgraded artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize and improve the efficiency of waste sorting operations.
"Our commitment has always been to work with forward-thinking recycling companies to automate their waste management processes and make outdated, inefficient, and unsafe manual sorting a thing of the past," said Jarmo Ruohonen, general manager of ZenRobotics. "Our AI-powered robots enable companies to take in new high-quality recyclables to meet modern recycling requirements and sell high-purity materials in the aftermarkets.
ZenRobotics 4.0 is now available on the Heavy Picker 4.0 – a multipurpose waste sorting robot for bulky material – and the Fast Picker 4.0 – a high-speed robot ideal for lightweight material.
What is the new Heavy Picker 4.0?
The Heavy Picker 4.0 robot now has a compact individual recognition system (ZenBrain) to enhance precision and increase efficiency by 60 to 100 percent compared to ZenRobotics' previous system. It also benefits from upgraded AI technology with an advanced global recognition database that empowers the robots to identify over 500 waste categories. This significantly reduces commissioning times as the Heavy Picker 4.0 will come pre-trained to recognize various types of waste.
Upgraded AI has also improved motion control and given the Heavy Picker 4.0 the ability to prioritize picking the resource that has the most value to the recycler. The Heavy Picker 4.0 also has reduced power consumption improving the cost effectiveness of the operation. Finally, the gripper and manipulator have been improved with 90 percent new or redesigned components. Operators will benefit from less robot downtime, improved efficiency and reliability, and more cost-effective and faster maintenance with fewer wear parts.
What is the new Fast Picker 4.0?
ZenRobotics Fast Picker robot couples AI software with high-speed picking, with a rate of up to 80 picks per minute. The upgraded AI on the Fast Picker 4.0 robot leverages higher rates of purity, accuracy, and recovery and like the Heavy Picker 4.0, can recognise over 500 waste categories.
One of the key differences with the Fast Picker 4.0 is the customization it offers to operators with adjustable widths and gantry design for seamless integration into various picking stations. The Fast Picker 4.0 reaches the full width of the whole conveyor belt, providing superior picking performance.
The Fast Picker 4.0 can now also be added at the end of a line of Heavy Pickers, incorporating into waste streams such as C&D, C&I, wood, scrap, rigid plastics, and sort smaller material pieces weighing up to one kilogram, once the Heavy Pickers have removed the bulky material. The Fast Picker can also be easily integrated into side streams, reject recovery lines, and quality control.
