The accumulation of electronic waste and the loss of valuable materials have led scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation ( IFF ) to develop an innovative solution: the iDEAR project.
Artificial intelligence and the dismantling of electronic waste
The iDEAR ( Intelligent Disassembly of Electronic Products for Remanufacturing and Recycling ) project proposes the use of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence for the automated disassembly of electronic devices. With this system, computers, household appliances and other devices can be disassembled accurately and non-destructively , facilitating the recovery of their components.
The process relies on high-precision optical metrology and machine learning. Such sensors and 3D cameras scan the devices to identify materials, reusable parts and valuable components. The information collected is stored in a digital twin, which optimizes the disassembly sequence and improves recycling efficiency.
Today, more than 80% of electronic waste ends up in landfills or incinerators, resulting in the loss of materials such as precious metals and rare earths. Incineration releases toxic substances into the environment. The system developed at iDEAR aims to implement a closed-loop recycling model, where devices are systematically dismantled to recover their raw materials, without generating additional pollution.
Optical metrology helps to scan labels and classify individual parts, such as screws, for example. Pre-trained machine learning algorithms and AI interpret the image data and enable the identification and classification of materials, plastics and components in real time based on spectral and sensor data.
Dr. José Saenz, leader of the Fraunhofer IFF robotics team.
Manual disassembly remains a costly and inefficient option in the recycling industry. Instead, iDEAR’s automated system enables robots equipped with specialized tools to perform complex tasks such as removing screws, separating motherboards, and extracting critical components autonomously.
The next step of the project is the integration of the different modules into a complete demonstrator, capable of performing all stages of automated disassembly. With this, it is expected that more manufacturing companies will adopt this technology and contribute to the transition towards an advanced circular economy.
With initiatives such as iDEAR , automation and AI are positioned as tools for a more sustainable future, where electronic waste can be converted into valuable resources instead of polluting waste.
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Source and photos: Fraunhofer
