Boschung e-sweeper now autonomous

The Urban-Sweeper S2.0 bristles with lidars, cameras, mm-wave radar and gps.
By David Arminas July 16, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
The recognition algorithm allows the sweeper to track all objects in sight simultaneously

Swiss company Boschung says it has made its 100% electric street sweeper, the Urban-Sweeper S2.0, now fully autonomous.

The sweeper uses autonomous technology from WIBOT, a joint company formed by Boschung, based in Payerne, Switzerland, and Autowise.ai, based in both the US state of California and in Shanghai, China.

Boschung created the articulated but compact diesel-powered Urban-Sweeper S2 in 2013 and in 2018 replaced the fossil-fuel engine with a battery system. In its autonomous mode it has a full eight hours of duty, according to the company. As well, because it is electric, noise pollution is low and the machine can operate day or night in most low-noise environments.

The latest version is equipped with a combination of lidars, cameras, mm-waves radars and gps antennas which gives the unit a 360° coverage of its environment. The accurate and efficient recognition algorithm allows the sweeper to track all objects in sight simultaneously, notes Boschung. The machine also has autonomous wake-up and autonomous parking,

The Urban-Sweeper S2.0 driven by WIBOT can be used in closed areas as well as safely sweep public streets with a level 5 certification. Boschung says that the autonomous sweeper performs its tasks in strict adherence to the operation protocol until the cleaning cycle is achieved, leaving no chance for dirt.

There is also a manual mode for driving.

Boschung Group, based in Switzerland, provides solutions to detect and manage traffic surface conditions for airports and roads, both urban and major routes. Solutions include ice early warning systems as well as the manufacture of snow removal vehicles, mobile and fixed de-icing equipment.

Autowise is a global producer of autonomous cleaning technology for public roads and in private facilities. Autowise operates a fleet of over 50 autonomous sweepers, ranging from two tonnes to 18 tonnes. They perform highway cleaning in Shanghai and daily city district sanitation in Suzhou – also in China. In Germany, their machines are on night shift cleaning duties at a metal recycling plant in Wilhelmshaven, and are on regular car park cleaning in the US city of Phoenix.

Maintenance

Related Content

  • Permanent repairs at lower costs thanks to JCB’s revolutionary PotholePro machine
    December 15, 2021
    Shock figures from the AA reveal more than £11bn-worth of potholes need repairing across the UK and British digger maker JCB is on a mission to fix them.
    Read More
  • LiDAR surveying is making inroads into asset management
    December 18, 2017
    In the coming age of the autonomous vehicle, fast and accurate LiDAR surveying will be increasingly important, explains Valdis Vanags. The game-changing introduction of autonomous vehicles relies not only on intelligent traffic systems but well maintained roads to help computer-guided systems navigate using road markings. Laser scanning technology, too, is a game changer when it comes to planning and executing many civil engineering projects, including transport network upgrades and smart city initiatives.
    Read More
  • Traffic management drives sustainability
    June 18, 2012
    New initiatives could boost transport sustainability – David Crawford writes. New roles are opening up for urban traffic management systems in helping city authorities to meet increasingly stringent governmental and supra-governmental air quality standards. European local authorities are typically tasked with both traffic management and pollution monitoring within their areas, making them well placed to draw on the latter to mitigate the impacts of the former.
    Read More
  • Cleaner urban streets through sensor use
    October 9, 2018
    Sophisticated new sensors from EarthSense are said to help improve urban air quality according to the firm. Air quality monitoring technology from EarthSense is providing real-time data for trials into the use of low emission vehicles to cut vehicle pollution in city centres. The data, collected by both mobile and static EarthSense Zephyr air quality monitoring sensors, is being used to automatically activate zero-emission
    Read More

Highlighted Content