McNeilus introduces AI material contamination detection technology

Dodge Center, Minnesota-based McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corp. business, has introduced its new artificial intelligence- (AI-) enabled material contamination detection technology, developed in collaboration with Lixo, a France-based waste stream analysis company.  

The new system leverages AI, edge computing and cloud-based analytics to identify contaminants in real time during refuse and recycling collection. By detecting and categorizing materials as they are deposited into the hopper, McNeilus says the technology can help haulers, municipalities and sustainability leaders manage contamination, control risk, improve diversion rates and meet regulatory and environmental goals.  

The system also performs and collects data while the vehicle operator continues with daily operation and route management. 

“Material contamination detection is the next evolution in refuse and recycling collection,” McNeilus President Lee Dreas says. “This technology enables customers to see what’s really in their waste stream and is retrofittable to support mixed fleets. It can help haulers demonstrate compliance, provides municipalities with the data they need to drive recycling performance and empowers both to operate efficiently and sustainably.” 

McNeilus says it has leveraged a strategic collaboration with Lixo. McNeilus’ refuse vehicle and solutions innovation combined with Lixo’s AI technology create intelligent insights.

"Lixo has been developing contamination detection solutions for close to five years,” Lixo co-founder and CEO Marjorie Darcet says. "The technology is patented and has proven its scalability and efficiency across Europe with over 300,000 bins analyzed every single day, reinforcing the strength of this AI technology. We are thrilled to be working with McNeilus to bring the technology to North America. We are confident that combining our forces can bring very significant value to haulers in residential, commercial and industrial waste segments." 

The system can identify more than 80 contaminants including plastic bags, yard waste, textiles and hazardous materials. McNeilus says it continues to learn and adapt as it processes new data, enabling detection of emerging materials and promoting overall accuracy growth of hazardous materials detected. 

Through advanced computer vision and machine learning, the system captures and classifies imagery from each collection. The data is processed through edge computing within the truck’s onboard control unit and is automatically uploaded to a secure cloud dashboard. Fleet and sustainability managers can view contamination levels by route, neighborhood or customer address, generating insights that support compliance reporting and route optimization, without requiring any driver interaction. 

McNeilus plans to offer the technology as both a factory-installed option for new vehicles and a retrofit kit compatible with any brand of side-loader or front-loader truck. Integration with McNeilus' ClearSky Intelligence telematics platform will provide customers with a view of fleet health, payload data and contamination insights.  

This intelligent solution is part of Oshkosh Corp.’s broader technology vision including autonomy, AI, connectivity and electrification.