Cigarette butts, paper, plastic - the new sweeper sees it all. It is now on the road in Wolfsburg and scans the streets as it drives. This is made possible by a smart sensor system that recognizes types of waste and collects the data in a digital map - a so-called heat map.

This map shows at a glance where there is a particularly large amount of garbage in the city. This allows us to respond in a targeted manner: for example, with additional garbage cans or ashtrays in the right places.

"Wolfsburg is taking another step towards the future with WAS kehrt smart? We are combining technological innovation with practical benefits for citizens - for a clean, liveable and smart city," says Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann.

Findings from parking help with sweeping

We have already worked with sensors and AI in the Smart Parking Test Field project to digitally record parking spaces in Wolfsburg. Now we are using the same technology to detect litter.

Even if it's "only" about sweeping, this project is helping us to gain experience. Experience that we can later use in other areas - always with the aim of making our city more digital, more efficient and more liveable.

Part of a nationwide funding program

Our WAS kehrt smart?! project is part of the Smart Cities Model Projects funding program of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building. The aim is to use digitalization to develop cities sustainably - with real added value for you and everyone who lives in Wolfsburg.