Swerim: Turning Chaos into Structured Data and Autonomous Operations
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High-detail scan of the material
At a modern metal recycling site, scrap rarely arrives in neat, predictable forms. Instead, what moves along conveyors and sortation lines is dense, mixed material with shifting geometries that have long made automation feel unreachable.
That is precisely why Swerim initiated and leads the project PURESCRAP which focuses on automated systems for online characterization of post-consumer scrap. As a leading industrial research institute focused on metallurgy, material science, manufacturing engineering and sustainable processes, Swerim brings deep expertise in applied research that can be transferred directly into industrial practice. Their objective is to improve product quality, increase resource efficiency and strengthen industrial competitiveness while contributing to a fossil-free and circular industry.
At the heart of this work lies perception. A robot can only act on what it can understand, and in a scrap environment that means interpreting complex three-dimensional structures in real time. Overlapping shapes, uneven surfaces and constantly changing piles have historically challenged traditional vision systems.
Advanced three-dimensional sensing changes the equation. With detailed 3D point cloud data, every contour, edge and height variation become measurable and analyzable. What appears to the human eye as chaotic becomes a structured digital representation that robotic systems can use to identify individual objects, determine feasible grasping points, estimate volumes and avoid collisions. Instead of reacting blindly to a moving mass of material, the robot makes informed, data-driven decisions. Automation becomes not only possible but reliable.
In this initiative, Flasheye is contributing with LiDAR capabilities in collaboration with leading technology brands, SiLC and their sensor Trace was selected for this project. This ensures that the robotic system receives the spatial accuracy it requires to perceive objects against challenging industrial backgrounds.
The project goes beyond a single proof of concept. Automated scrap characterization can reduce manual handling of heavy, hazardous materials, improve analysis consistency and increase recovery of valuable metals. It also creates new data streams that can be used to optimize recycling flows over time, supporting both economic performance and environmental goals.
This is a demonstration how new technology can tackle some of the most complex industrial challenges. Turning chaotic scrap into structured data is not just a technical milestone. It marks a step toward smarter, safer and more sustainable recycling systems. With strong partnerships and the right sensing technologies, what once seemed impossible is steadily becoming industrial reality.
About Flasheye
Flasheye AB is a tech company based in Luleå that develops advanced software for interpreting 3D sensor data and enabling real-time spatial awareness across industrial applications. By turning LiDAR and other sensor outputs into actionable insight, Flasheye’s platform supports safer operations, increased reliability and automation. Its modular and scalable solutions integrate with a variety of sensors, helping partners expand into new use cases without heavy customization.
About Swerim
Swerim is a Swedish industrial research institute with deep expertise in mining engineering, process metallurgy, materials science and manufacturing engineering. The institute conducts applied research and development that strengthens industrial competitiveness through improved product quality, greater resource efficiency and more sustainable manufacturing processes. With unique facilities and a vision of a fossil-free, circular industry, Swerim works closely with companies across sectors to bring research results into practical industrial applications.
