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Un innovative quadruped robot, specifically designed to clean the sand, is revolutionizing the fight against garbage in natural spaces.
Equipped with advanced tools and an artificial intelligence system, this device is capable of collecting small waste with astonishing precision, demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can be a great ally in environmental protection.
Who is VERO and what is its mission? 🤖
VERO, whose name is an acronym for Vacuum-cleaner Equipped RObot, is a creation of the prestigious Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa.
The engineers used the well-known robot AlienGo from the company Unitree as a base to develop a solution to one of the biggest pollution problems on the planet: the millions of cigarette butts littering the beaches.
VERO’s main purpose is to clean up these natural environments. Cigarette butts are not only a visual garbage, but they are the second most common unrecovered waste and release over 700 toxic chemicals into the ecosystem.
In its initial tests, VERO has demonstrated an impressive 90% efficiency in collecting cigarette butts, operating completely autonomously once a working area is delimited for it.
Intelligence and consistency in action
The robot combines artificial intelligence and a camera system to detect the waste. Although not particularly fast, its main advantage is its consistency and autonomy, as it can operate continuously for four and a half hours. This advancement represents a significant step in the application of robotics for environmental conservation.
Characteristics of a unique design ⚙️
The technology behind VERO is as ingenious as its mission. These are its main features:
- Vacuum System: It carries a commercial vacuum cleaner mounted on its back, with hoses that run through its legs to reach 3D-printed nozzles. This design allows it to effectively suck up cigarette butts and other small waste on uneven terrains like sand.
- Advanced Vision: It incorporates an Intel RealSense depth camera on its “chin” to accurately calculate the location of the waste. It uses neural networks to identify cigarette butts and avoid visual duplications.
- Mobility and Power: Its chassis, based on AlienGo, features 12 high-performance servo motors that allow it to reach speeds of up to 1.5 meters per second.
- Superior Stability: It offers three-axis force control, ensuring great stability even on the most rugged surfaces. Additionally, it is impact-resistant.
- Additional Potential: Beyond cleaning, the robot is capable of recognizing silhouettes and faces, expanding its potential for other applications.
According to its researchers, “this is the first time a design like this has been presented in a legged robot,” highlighting the pioneering nature of this project.
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