"I want to rebuild the value chain related to global waste management. I want to create a world where people don't have to separate waste or worry about waste in the smart city we live in."

CEO Park Tae-hyeong shared his thoughts in an interview with The Bell at the Aetech Robot Center in Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul on the 11th. Aetech has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) robot, Atron. When waste enters the sorting facility, the robot recognizes it and uses suction to sort the waste to the desired location.

Aetech's goal is the complete automation of the waste sorting facility that can operate without human intervention. As a first step, they are preparing the world's first '100% robot waste sorting' resource recovery center (smart factory). The aim is to commence operation in the second half of the year.

Attention to the city mine concept and innovation of waste sorting facilities

CEO Park majored in environmental science and geological resources at Saint Mary's University in Canada. Geological resources focus on researching how to find and extract the resources needed in daily life in an eco-friendly way. He worked as a communication engineer in Canada after studying both disciplines.

Park said, "I thought about how we could environmentally secure the resources we need and came up with the concept of 'city mines (businesses that secure useful resources from waste).' I made the decision to start a business and came to Korea." He added, "I thought there would be plenty to do in the field of resource recycling in Korea," and explained how he worked on items at a startup within an environmental industry research complex.

At that time, he had the opportunity to visit a recycling waste sorting facility in person. The working environment of the recycling waste sorting facility witnessed by Park was harsh. It affected people's health due to vibration, noise, odor, and dust. It was also a place with many industrial accidents due to heavy equipment. He said, "I started Aetech with the intention of solving problems with technology."

After founding the company, he developed the Atron robot for waste sorting. The distinctive feature is that both the software and hardware were developed directly. In terms of software, they developed an algorithm-based neural network called 'compression neural network' (CNN). It is AI-based path improvement and track tracing algorithm. On the hardware side, they developed blow air vacuum technology and suction pads, enabling accurate sorting of heavy products, irregularly shaped waste, and those that do not maintain their original shape, which cannot be classified by existing automated equipment.

Based on the core technology, Atron can sort around 100 items per minute. Detailed settings are available for item classification by color, material, and usage. The recycling sorting accuracy reaches 99.3%. There are more than 40 sortable items. It can also sort PP used in delivery containers by color and PE used in laundry soap and plastic bags.

Goal to establish the world's first robot resource recycling center

The company's vision is to become a company that builds a 'smart city' where robots sort waste. They have also set specific roadmaps, such as △development and application of Atron △establishment of their own sorting facility as a smart factory △establishment of automatic residential waste separation facilities, with the aim of integrating Aetech's technology into every stage of resource recycling.

They have signed contracts for the implementation of over 10 Atron robots so far. Inquiries and orders are being received from various customers, including private companies and local governments, as the performance of the robots has spread through waste sorting facilities that have introduced them. This year, they plan to start supplying the 'Dual Atron' model, starting with Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Aetech plans to supply Atron not only to recycling sorting facilities but also to apartment waste separation facilities. They are currently in the process of product development in cooperation with SK E&S and are conducting a technology development project with conditional purchase conditions. If the technology development is successful, they will be able to supply robots to actual recycling sorting facilities in apartments.

They are also accelerating the establishment of the smart factory. CEO Park said, "We are building a 500-square-meter unmanned robot resource recycling center in Gyeongseo-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon." He explained, "Atron alone sorts waste, and robots handle all processes." They also plan to expand their business to construction, marine waste, and industrial waste.

They are also expanding into total robot solution service (RaaS) business. They diversify their business models with lease plans (installment) and rental plans. Previously, there was only a purchasing plan that bought robots, other equipment, and setup costs in one lump sum. The profit margin compared to the cost reaches 40%. Furthermore, they plan to expand their lineup by making products lighter and smaller.

They also plan global expansion. There is a prospect for the first export to take place as early as the second half of this year. Aetech has completed market research in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and North America. They expect overseas sales to surpass domestic sales by 2028. Their goal for robot sales in 2027 is 140 units.

CEO Park mentioned, "The complete automation of the resource recycling center that can operate without human intervention is our goal." He added, "I want to create a sustainable smart city by introducing technological innovations into environmental policies."

Reporter Lee Yeong-a