Waste management stands as a quintessential pillar of environmental sustainability across global societies. The urgency surrounding waste reduction has been amplified in Hong Kong following the HKSAR Government's announcement of the municipal solid waste charging system, which will be implemented in 2024. Embracing the “polluter-pays” principle, this initiative aims to incentivise businesses and households to adopt practices that minimise waste generation and promote recycling, thereby alleviating the strain on landfills. While the ideal scenario would see society collectively moving towards waste reduction at its source, the reality of unavoidable waste underscores the pivotal role of recycling as a pragmatic approach to waste management.

In the vast landscape of recycling, a revolution is quietly taking shape, propelled by the innovative applications of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). These cutting-edge technologies have the potential to revolutionise the recycling industry by addressing the challenges of sorting, digitisation, and enhancing operational efficiency, making a positive contribution to environmental protection and the sustainability of society and the economy. Leading this transformative journey is SOTA Robotics, a promising venture incubated by The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Centre for Logistics Robotics (HKCLR). Under the guidance of Professor Chen Fei from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering (MAE) at CUHK, SOTA Robotics is set to redefine the recycling industry, by replacing labour-intensive and often inefficient manual sorting practices with automated solutions.

SOTA Robotics founding team (from left to right): COO Dong Zhipeng, Founder Prof. Chen Fei, and CTO Wang Shixiong

The conventional practice of waste sorting necessitates a significant workforce dedicated to the meticulous separation of contaminants from valuable recyclable materials. This laborious process not only demands significant man-hours but also exposes workers to potentially hazardous working conditions. SOTA Robotics, with its pioneering solutions such as MightySort™ and MagicSort™, aims to challenge this status quo.

 

MightySort™ Intelligent Sorting Robot System

 

MightySort™ is an intelligent solid waste sorting robotic system, designed to automate the sorting tasks in recycling plants. Equipped with a combination of sensors including visible light, near-infrared light, and 3D laser contouring, this advanced robotic system can swiftly and precisely analyse various types of waste. As proof of its efficiency, MightySort™ can replace up to four or five workers, and boasts an accuracy rate exceeding 85%. When two MightySort™ systems work in tandem, the accuracy rate can reach a remarkable 96%. This advanced system has already been successfully deployed in a local aluminium waste recycling plant, where it has demonstrated its proficiency in identifying and separating over 10 types of impurities, thereby significantly enhancing the value of aluminium waste recycling.

MightySort™ prototype is running live at the Hong Kong customer's recycling factory.

Complementing MightySort™'s capabilities is MagicSort™, a compact, smart recycling bin in the pipeline. This innovative solution is designed to automatically recognise and sort waste, thereby streamlining manual sorting and enhancing recycling efficiency, particularly in smart city environments.

The idea for SOTA Robotics to venture into the recycling industry was inspired by a visit to a metal recycling plant by Professor Liu Yun-hui, Director of HKCLR, and Professor Chen Fei. Witnessing the challenging working conditions and intense manual labour involved sparked the idea of utilising the power of robotics and AI to improve the efficiency and safety of the recycling process.

“SOTA” – denoting "State-of-the-Art", encapsulates the company's dedication to harnessing cutting-edge technology to address industry challenges and contribute to societal well-being. As Professor Chen Fei guides SOTA Robotics towards achieving technological breakthroughs, the company also focuses on advancing green development.

The strides made by SOTA Robotics are indicative of a significant shift in the recycling industry. As the company continues working towards offering a comprehensive digital solution for the global recycling chain – including collection, transportation, sorting, and remanufacturing, it is setting a robust foundation for a sustainable future.

Author: Professor Chen Fei, Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering