ROBOT-ASSISTED SORTING

摘要

It's not exactly a robot uprising, but robotic sorting machines are starting to enter the recycling industry. These machines use artificial intelligence to make autonomous decisions about what materials to sort and robotic arms to remove selected items from the conveyor belt. Manufacturers of these futuristic sorting machines promise cleaner, higher-quality materials that will help recyclers respond to China's tightened import restrictions and contamination standards. They provide safety and labor benefits as well: Robots don't get tired and can eliminate sorting-line-related injuries or human fatigue, thus allowing recycling facilities to run longer with lower operating expenses, manufacturers say. And they're reprogrammable: If a facility's needs or streams change, an operator merely changes the settings instead of buying an entirely new piece of equipment.