Porvoo launches autonomous street‑sweeping robot

The Finnish city of Porvoo will begin operating an autonomous street‑sweeping robot in early August. The robot, supplied as a service by Trombia Technologies Oy, is about the size of a small car, runs on electricity, and has a maximum speed of four kilometres per hour. It will work mainly at night for roughly 26 weeks a year, when there is no snow, and will initially clean the market square and the riverside walkways, with plans to expand its area as experience is gathered.

Equipped with sensors, the robot stops when it encounters obstacles such as pedestrians or vehicles, and it can be remotely monitored and redirected via cameras. City maintenance manager Keijo Lehtikangas said the goal is to improve street cleanliness, enhance air quality, and lower energy consumption and emissions.