Research Director DARWIN
- Grimstad
nabe@norceresearch.no
+47 401 08 137
iBot4CRMs
The NORCE-lead EU Horizon Europe project iBot4CRMs focuses on AI-powered self-learning robots to improve the recovery of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) from waste, aligning with Europe's green and digital transitions.
It addresses challenges in waste management, particularly in electronic and automotive recycling, where traditional manual methods are insufficient due to increasing waste and complexity.
The project's goal is to develop robotic systems with advanced AI, data analytics, and perception capabilities to automate sorting, dismantling, and recovery of valuable materials like neodymium magnets, copper, gold, silver, and other materials from waste streams.
Desired Results and Impact:
- Efficient CRM Recovery: Enabling robots to identify, dismantle, and recover CRMs more effectively than current manual methods.
- Enhanced Recycling Efficiency: Automated systems will boost productivity and reduce human intervention, leading to better material recovery rates and improved environmental sustainability.
- Contribution to the Circular Economy: By recovering critical materials from waste, the project supports the EU's circular economy and green deal objectives.
- Business Sustainability: The project aims to reduce dependency on imported raw materials by recovering and recycling them within the EU.
Pilots/Use Cases
Pilot at Ferimet (ES) - Metal Scrap CRM Recovery:
A pilot where metal scrap from end-of-life vehicles (ELV) and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) will be processed.
The goal is to automate the sorting of materials such as copper cables, aluminum, and PCBs from scrap, reducing manual effort and improving recovery rates by 40%.
Pilot at EKAN (EL) - Dismantling of Flat Panel Displays (FPDs)
Validation of robotic systems to dismantle Flat Panel Displays (FPDs), which are currently dismantled manually.
The project will demonstrate robots' ability to improve productivity and recover materials like gold, silver, copper, and hazardous components like mercury.
Pilot at Valorsul (PT)
Automatic robot-based removing of hazardous materials and recovery of CRMs from a stream of slag originated after waste incineration.
Pilot at VOLT (TR) - Electric Motor Recycling
The recycling of neodymium magnets from electric motors used in electric vehicles, a critical resource for sustainable transport technologies
iBot4CRMs has received funding by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-04 under 101189783
Contact
Project facts
Name
iBot4CRMs
Status
Active
Duration
02.12.24 - 30.11.28
Location
Grimstad