Volvo Truck is testing a self driving garbage truck in Sweden. This truck displays the leaps and bounds technology is making in the waste industry. The way this truck works is the driver would driver the truck to and from the main route points and then the truck would take over from there. It would safely back down the street, avoiding obstacles that are in the way and stopping at each container so they can be serviced.

Would this be practical for the US waste industry? Only time will tell. Currently most residential neighborhoods are picked up with an automated side loader and Volvo is currently testing a rear load style truck.  I’m sure they could change the system to meet the needs of other trucks and haulers, but they would also have to take in  the fact the difference in streets, traffic patterns and other obstacle but it is a good start to show what the future holds.