Tech-powered trash collection: the future of rubbish trucks is here!

Collaboration with government

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation has partnered with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, and it has introduced a revolutionary electric truck that promises to cut CO₂ emissions while enhancing the efficiency of rubbish collection. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Japanese government to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Under the Ministry of the Environment’s “Carbon Neutral Technology Research and Development Program,” a project titled “Creating a Resource Recycling System Using Digital Technology Toward a Decarbonized Society” was launched. The Japan Environmental Sanitation Center was brought on board as the project’s contractor. Its main objective? To verify the CO₂ emission reduction potential of using a partially automated electric truck for rubbish collection.

Enter the eCanter

This ambitious project unfolded on the streets of Kawasaki City, Japan, where Mitsubishi Fuso and the Ministry of the Environment conducted a real-world demonstration using a cutting-edge eCanter. The experiment was designed to measure the truck’s impact on work efficiency and carbon emissions, with some promising results.

The eCanter is also becoming known to South Africans. Earlier this year, Daimler Truck Southern Africa revealed that it would offer a comprehensive range of battery-electric trucks – ranging from the popular little eCanter to the much-lauded eActros. The former will be trialled at South African customers, and this will be followed by sales on an operating lease basis. The eActros, on the other hand, is already available for sale.

eCanter SensorCollect: One very clever truck

But the eCanter being used in Japan is quite different to the trucks we are seeing on our roads. It is a next-generation electric rubbish truck called the eCanter SensorCollect. What sets this truck apart is its ability to automatically follow a predetermined route, significantly boosting the efficiency of rubbish collection. And that’s not all. This truck is also equipped with a sophisticated system that shares crucial rubbish-related data with waste disposal facilities in real time.

Thanks to advanced sensors, the eCanter SensorCollect can detect the weight and volume of the rubbish it carries, as well as the number of items loaded. This data is then transmitted to waste disposal centres via the Internet, improving the overall efficiency of waste management operations.

Making waste collection smarter and safer

The eCanter SensorCollect is packed with innovative features that are designed to make waste collection safer and easier for workers. For instance, the truck can automatically recognise when the driver exits the vehicle, thanks to camera sensors mounted at the front and rear that double as mirrors. Once the driver steps out, the truck can follow them as they walk between collection points, eliminating the need for the driver to repeatedly climb in and out of the vehicle.

Moreover, the eCanter SensorCollect can be operated remotely using a wireless Human Machine Interface (HMI). This reduces the physical strain on drivers and significantly cuts down their working hours. The truck can also navigate around obstacles, stop in emergencies, and even track the driver or a designated stopping point.

A step towards automation

The eCanter SensorCollect used in this project features an automatic driver tracking system that aligns with SAE Level 2 driving automation. This means the truck can handle certain driving tasks while still requiring some human intervention. The system not only minimises the time and effort needed for waste collection but also enhances overall safety.

For example, when the driver presses the stop button on a remote terminal, the truck remembers their position and drives to them, stopping at the exact location. Alternatively, it can identify the next collection point and head there automatically.

Towards a carbon-neutral future

The overarching goal of this project is to reduce CO₂ emissions across various stages of waste management, from collection and transportation to incineration and intermediate treatment. The use of digital technology and advanced electric vehicles like the eCanter SensorCollect is a significant step toward achieving this goal.

Looking ahead, Mitsubishi Fuso plans to continue its participation in this project through fiscal year 2024 and beyond. The company is committed to developing next-generation trucks that not only reduce the burden on drivers but also improve overall transportation efficiency. The insights gained from these demonstration tests will be applied to other Fuso trucks. This will pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient transportation industry.