Aspects concerning the optimal development of robotic systems architecture for waste sorting tasks

In the last decade waste has become a real problem and therefore measures are needed to stimulate the transition from waste as a problem towards waste as a resource. Robotics technology together with advanced recognition sensor are key enabler technologies that will play an important role in this transition and it is expected to significantly increase the sorting efficiency of some waste streams and replace/complement the labour-intensive manual sorting. In this context, this paper presents aspects concerning the optimal selection of robotic systems architecture for sorting solid recyclable waste streams transported with conveyor belts. An optimization algorithm based on different performance criteria to choose the best robotic system architecture is detailed in the paper too. The numerical results can be a good starting point for other researchers in the field of smart waste management solutions. (paper)