VERO, the robot designed to combat cigarette butt pollution
This is a problem that not only visually litters the environment, but each cigarette butt can release more than 700 toxic chemicals into the environment. Although the global number of smokers has decreased today, the accumulation of cigarette butts in places such as oceans, beaches and parks remains a significant challenge for society.
A cigarette butt takes between 10 and 15 years to completely disintegrate in the environment, within its structure we can find cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that is highly resistant to biodegradation, on the other hand, among the 700 toxic chemicals that a cigarette butt can release are heavy metals, tar and nicotine, which contaminate soil and water sources, negatively affecting flora and fauna.
To address this problem, researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa have developed an innovative solution called VERO, an acronym for "Vacuum Equipped Robot". This robot, based on a four-legged platform, carries an innovative hoover mounted like a backpack and has customized nozzles on each leg. Designed using 3D printing, these nozzles allow VERO to get close to the ground efficiently without compromising its mobility.
A recent article in the Journal of Field Robotics details the development of VERO, including the creation of a neural network to interpret visual data from the robot's built-in cameras. This system identifies cigarette butts in cluttered environments and discriminates between duplicate targets. Once a cigarette butt is located, VERO calculates how to position itself to suck it up effectively, balancing on its other three legs. In addition, VERO is designed to navigate uneven terrain and other obstacles, which is essential for operating in diverse urban settings.
The implementation of this robot not only promises to be an alternative to alleviate the environmental burden caused by cigarette butts, but also offers significant economic benefits. The municipality adopting this technology can save significantly on costs concerning the manual cleaning of streets and public spaces. Companies dedicated to the recycling of the collected cigarette butts could obtain the raw material for by-products of useful materials, raw material that can be provided to the municipality. In this way, VERO not only contributes to the preservation of the environment, but also promotes a circular and sustainable approach to waste management.
The future of this technology is encouraging, with potential improvements in its accuracy, efficiency and accessibility, it could revolutionize the way we tackle cigarette butt pollution globally, even if the challenges of adopting this technology mean high initial investment cost or upgrades to suit certain terrains, it remains an excellent option for tackling cigarette butt pollution.
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