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 TRUE: the robot that collects cigarette butts thanks to AI

Key points:
- Introduced VERO, an AI-powered quadruped robot for collecting cigarette butts.
- VERO was developed by IIT’s Dynamic Legged Systems (DLS) research unit, coordinated by Claudio Semini.
- The robot uses a vacuum system with four hoses and two cameras to identify and collect litter.
- VERO’s versatility allows it to operate in hard-to-access areas, supporting environmental operators in waste management.

Milan, July 1, 2024 - As part of an event organized by Legambiente at the Blue District, VERO, an innovative quadruped robot designed to collect cigarette butts, was presented. The event was attended by numerous experts in the field, environmental representatives and the local community who were curious about this new technology.

VERO, which stands for Vacuum-cleaner Equipped RObot, is the result of the work of the Dynamic Legged Systems (DLS) research unit of the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), under the leadership of Claudio Semini. This robot is distinguished by its ability to integrate artificial intelligence and robotics in order to assist humans in waste collection.

Equipped with four legs moved by a 100 W electric motor, VERO has a unique suction system consisting of four hoses mounted on the legs. Thanks to two cameras, the robot is able to accurately identify cigarette butts and other small waste while preventing the suction of unwanted materials such as stones and sand.

A strength of VERO’s control system is its ability to optimize paths and energy consumption, ensuring high operational efficiency. Its versatile design allows it to operate in difficult environments, such as uneven areas and stairways, where other cleaning machines cannot reach. This makes VERO a valuable ally for environmental workers, reducing the risk of workplace injuries and increasing effectiveness in waste removal.

The robot was developed as part of RAISE’s Spoke 3, a project dedicated to "Environmental Protection and Care." The research activities conducted by RAISE form the basis for the development of ecorobotics, an emerging discipline that combines robotics and AI for the sustainable management of the environment. RAISE’s main goals include the creation and commercialization of advanced technological solutions that meet the production and social needs of the local area.

VERO is just one example of the potential offered by ecorobotics. In the future, similar systems could flank the work of ecological workers, enabling efficient removal of various types of waste, even in areas with steep slopes or difficult to reach. VERO’s presentation represents a significant step toward more sustainable and technologically advanced management of the environment, showing how innovation can contribute to the preservation of our planet.