Robots and AI could soon help keep city centers cleaner. At the Digital X event in Cologne (September 18-19), Deutsche Telekom and Danish robotics specialist Capra will showcase how their autonomous robot, Butty, cleans up litter, particularly cigarette butts. The press event is scheduled
Butty, developed by Capra Robotics, isn’t just limited to litter collection; it’s a versatile robot used in industries like logistics and agriculture. Capable of towing up to 100 kilograms and pulling loads of half a ton, Butty can also deliver parcels, guard premises, and even tend to vineyards. Equipped with various attachments like suction nozzles and 3D cameras, it adapts to different tasks.
High-tech integration is key to Butty‘s performance. It operates on Deutsche Telekom’s IoT mobile and satellite network, which includes partnerships with 600 providers globally and satellite companies like Intelsat and Skylo. This ensures seamless connectivity for the robot across land, water, and air.
To perform tasks like picking up small pieces of garbage with precision, Butty relies on more than just standard GPS. Deutsche Telekom partners with Swift Navigation for highly accurate satellite positioning. This enables the robot to pinpoint locations within four centimeters, making it effective at tasks like picking up cigarette butts or de-icing sidewalks. An AI-powered navigation system helps it maneuver around obstacles in tight spaces using real-time camera data.
Deutsche Telekom manages the robot’s complex technology in the cloud, integrating its network, AI, and navigation systems. The cloud setup allows for remote monitoring and support, providing global service capabilities.
The logistics industry is particularly interested in robots like Butty, as autonomous robots can optimize processes, such as moving parts between production machines. This reduces the manual labor required for transporting materials, saving time and money. Robots also navigate challenging environments like narrow doorways, ensuring precision and safety for both humans and machines.
Lars Hee Hansen, Capra Robotics’ Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the role of 4G/5G connectivity and precise navigation in ensuring accuracy for both indoor and outdoor logistics. Dennis Nikles, Managing Director of Deutsche Telekom IoT GmbH, highlighted how robots can take over repetitive tasks, freeing up skilled workers for more important roles.
Beyond cost and efficiency, autonomous technology has environmental benefits. In industry, robots help reduce emissions, contributing to the EU’s goal of cutting CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030. Digital solutions, according to Bitkom, could achieve up to 58% of these reductions.
The impact of robots like Butty is especially visible in city cleaning. Cigarette butts, one of the most common litter items, take 15 years to decompose and release harmful substances into the environment. In Cologne, littering a cigarette butt can result in a fine of 50 euros, with higher fines in parks and playgrounds.
The market for city-cleaning robots is expected to grow further in 2025 when the EU implements a directive requiring manufacturers of single-use plastics, including cigarette filters, to contribute to cleanup costs. This levy could generate up to 450 million euros annually for the public sector, boosting demand for autonomous cleaning solutions
