While we eagerly anticipate the day when driverless cars populate our streets as depicted in futuristic films and envisioned by automotive pioneers, for now, we can marvel at the innovation of the next best thing: an autonomous sweeper.
WeRide, a cutting-edge autonomous technology startup based in Guangzhou, is proud to introduce the Robosweeper S1, the world’s first Level 4-capable autonomous driving sanitation equipment that can handle various scenarios on open roads.
Sanitation automation
WeRide claims to have developed the first Level 4 autonomous sweeper available commercially. Known as the Robosweeper S1, this battery-powered sanitation vehicle can autonomously navigate from an underground parking garage, wait for the barrier to open, and commence sweeping without human intervention.
The Robosweeper S1 is currently available for purchase at an undisclosed price, with WeRide securing contracts valued at “nearly tens of millions of dollars” with multiple partners.
The Robosweeper S1, weighing 1 ton, measures 101.1 inches in length (excluding brushes) and boasts a minimum turning radius of 106.3 inches. It is offered in three versions—Air, Pro, and Max—equipped with a 400-liter water tank and a 240-liter garbage bin.
Noteworthy about the Robosweeper S1 is its unconventional feature of a large black windshield panel, owing to its lack of an onboard driver.
According to the SAE levels of driving automation table, a Level 4-capable vehicle, like the Robosweeper S1, may or may not include pedals and a steering wheel, relying solely on sensors and advanced software to operate within defined parameters.
WeRide’s claim of the Robosweeper S1’s ability to navigate all scenarios on open roads raises some questions, as the company discreetly mentions the sweeper’s limitation to “non-motorized” lanes, excluding regular traffic routes.
WeRide emphasizes that the Robosweeper S1 is well-suited for various environments such as parks, sidewalks, and non-motorized lanes, delivering efficient sweeping and dust suppression services autonomously.
The battery capacity and charging speed of the Robosweeper S1 are not specified, but WeRide notes that it can cover up to 1,291 square feet (120,000 square meters) on a single charge, with the ability to autonomously empty its garbage bin and park.
WeRide also offers the larger Robosweeper S6 for deployment on major urban roads, although it is not yet available for purchase, with over 50 prototypes undergoing rigorous testing, as stated on the company’s website.