SCANTEC

Maribor is facing a significant challenge in improving its waste separation and processing system. It is introducing innovative technologies to optimize waste separation in collaboration with the municipal company Snaga. The goal is to implement socio-technical systems that combine IoT and AI for precise data collection and analysis of waste. The focus is on developing sensor devices with computer vision to identify different types of waste and increase citizen engagement in source separation. The experimental area covers settlements on the right bank of the Drava River. The project involves the use of conventional waste bins and sensor technologies on waste collection vehicles. The emphasis is on a simple, effective, and scalable solution suitable for wider use. The Municipality of Maribor recognizes the importance of sustainable waste management and strives for a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

The SCANTEC Solution, SmartScan 2.0, is an innovative waste management solution powered by advanced AI technology. It identifies and analyzes waste materials, providing feedback on the quality of organic and residual waste. Using convolutional neural networks (CNN), SmartScan ensures accurate waste classification, backed by a database of over 10,000 labeled images for training. This process requires powerful graphics cards and takes 3-4 days per iteration to perfect.

SmartScan works with various vehicle types, especially rear loaders, by analyzing waste using optical-digital data. The data is sent to the cloud for classification, making it adaptable to different waste types. Results can be exported for further analysis.

The system is integrated into ScanSuite, a web portal that generates detailed reports based on collected data. The portal combines information on waste quality, quantity, and location, offering useful visual reports like heat maps.

As a subsidiary of ZÖLLER KIPPER, SCANTEC is at the forefront of digital innovations in waste management, collaborating with leading universities and industry partners to continually improve SmartScan’s capabilities. This modular system ensures flexibility, reliability, and long-term use in the waste management sector.

In summary, SmartScan represents a major leap forward in waste management, combining AI technology and web tools to deliver precise analysis, streamline operations, and support sustainable decision-making, all while ensuring compliance with European data protection standards.smi