Volvo’s autonomous garbage truck on duty (The Drive)

Volvo worked in collaboration with Swedish waste service company Renova to develop this high-tech truck. It’s got a pre-programmed trash route set in the computer, allowing it to drive from site to site without human aid. This simplifies the collection service, enabling the onboard crew to work solely on picking up trash without having to get in and out of the truck. Volvo further supports this idea by saying autonomy will cut down on workplace injuries, both short- and long-term, preserving workers’ joints and doing away with human error while driving.

Another angle is the environmental factor. As each vehicle is programmed to run its route cleanly and efficiently, emissions could potentially be reduced; this not only saves waste companies money, but also reduces pollution from the large diesel engines.

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