AMP Robotics - AI Takes Out the Trash

Global waste has become an increasingly popular issue. Grocery stores no longer using plastic bags, coffee shops encouraging reusable cups, and the war on plastic straws are some of the trends being brought to the public. These moves are great but seemingly inconsequential when looking at what we are really dealing with. A study done in December 2018 in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances states that dating back to the 1950’s, when plastic production really ramped up, “Of the 8.3 billion metric tons that has been produced, 6.3 billion metric tons has become plastic waste. Of that, only nine percent has been recycled.[1]” We have not only a growing waste problem, but a recycling problem. Luckily, we also have people tackling the issue like Matanya Horowitz, who founded AMP Robotics back in 2014.

AMP Robotics describes itself as an industrial robotics and AI company changing the fundamental economics of recycling with breakthrough technology that automates the identification, sorting, and processing of complex waste streams to extract maximum value for customers. Put simply, it’s a very smart machine that makes large scale recycling easier and faster.

AMP Robotics employs its technology across the industries of Municipal Solid Waste (…or garbage), Electronic Waste, and Construction & Demolition. On the company site they list out material types covered – so for more details head there – but they range from plastic cups to copper and processed wood. Ultimately, AMP Robotics covers the majority of waste that is overflowing our landfills and wreaking havoc to certain geographic regions and the broader environment.

 The technology behind AMP Robotics is 3-part: AMP Cortex, AMP Neuron, and AMP Insights. 

AMP Cortex is the muscles behind the operation. It’s a highspeed robotic system that handles the physical tasks of sorting, picking, and placing the recyclable materials. This bad-boy has a 98% purity rate – targeting down to the SKU and Brand level. The advantage with Cortex doesn’t just lie in its plastic cup or aluminum target success rate, but its 24/7 operational ability. Cortex never needs to clock out to grab a beer with the boys. 

AMP Neuron is the brain. It is perpetually learning, becoming increasingly accurate as time goes on – in other words, it will always be better than your brain. Neuron is an AI platform that applies machine learning to constantly better itself. This guides Cortex, or the arms, to perform human-like tasks. Its machine learning ability not only allows it to become better at the job with time but enables it to adapt to changes like package design and lighting. By the time Jimbo steps back into the sorting line after looking up the details of an unfamiliar item, Neuron has already identified, processed, and sorted the next ten new items Jimbo is unfamiliar with.

AMP Insights takes all the data captured by Neuron and turns it into accessible visualization. It’s like Bob Ross, translating a complex data set into a pretty picture. Insights monitors activity, measures performance, and allows for smart decision making backed by real-time data. Customers can set up text/email notifications so they can be notified of specific triggers that are important to the users’ facility. It can be used to quantify value per haul or compare performance across equipment lines. Insights visually represents the increase in efficiency from manual to automated.

So, what’s it look like? Basically, it’s a head with high-tech smart cameras for eyes and multiple arms fitted with clamps/suction cups. Understandably, that description doesn’t do it much justice so think of it as a Sentinel from the Matrix movie series. AI robot with a large head, multiple arms, and many eyes, though it doesn’t fly around trying to destroy humanity; instead, it helps humanity deal with the mess we’ve created before the mess destroys us.

I am a firm believer in attacking a problem at its core, but unfortunately the recycling and waste problems are complex. Companies can always, and must, do better, but they cannot simply switch materials and continue BAU overnight. The same is true for humans – but even when waste makes it into the correct bin, it’s not necessarily being handled properly. AMP Robotics is one of many companies tackling the ongoing waste and recycling issues and looks to be on a successful track.

It may have been awhile, but remember the elementary school teaching: Reduce, Reuse, and then….Recycle. 

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[1] Parker, Laura. “A Whopping 91% of Plastic Isn't Recycled.” National Geographic, 20 Dec. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/#close.