UTICA, N.Y. — The Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center is now using two robots with Artificial Intelligence to sort recyclables.
The machines are picking out specific types of plastics, allowing other recyclables to pass by.
The robots are designed to learn what to look for and will become more efficient over time.
The machines do make a lot of noise, but William Rains doesn’t seem concerned about the machines taking over their jobs.
“No, I’m outworking the robot right now, so he ain’t catch up to me yet,” Rains laughed.
Recycling Coordinator Eileen Brinck said the center doesn’t plan to use the robots to replace workers, but rather find more efficient work for the employees to do.
“They are taking up a spot for a sorter, but there are no sorters that are going to be lost,” Brinck said.
Eileen says aside from the loud noise the machines make, the robots have …