• Recycling robot uses lasers and sensors to distinguish between plastics

  • Recycling_robot.jpg
    Now here’s a smart recycling robot that uses its laser eyes to sort plastic. Designed by IDEC, the Photonics Advanced Research Center, and Mitsubishi Electric Engineering, this robot was recently unveiled by Osaka University. Using its laser ‘eyes’ and sensors, this robot can distinguish between six types of plastic, making the recycling job a whole lot easier. Plastics are recyclable, though only 6% ends up for actual recycling. Distinguishing between recyclable and unrecyclable plastics by the naked eye is like picking a pin in a haystack. This 5ft 6in by 6ft 9in laser-equipped robot comes to the rescue and works efficiently.


    However, this robot is huge and won’t fit into your kitchen. Which is why, Osaka University is working on a smaller version. If your home is big enough, this environment-conscious robot will cost you $55,000.
    [Inhabitat]

    Posted in Topics:Recycle, Tags: , on March 4, 2010