Espoo Magazine 3/2021

Harri Tanska/Espoon kaupunki
Robot sweeper cleaning the streets
LAST spring, an odd contraption could be seen
travelling along the pedestrian and bicycle ways
of Mankkaa and Ring II. It was not a UFO, but a
new robotised street sweeper called Trombia Free,
which clears grit from walkways and cycle paths.
Designed by Trombia Technologies in Kuopio,
the device has been tested in various localities
during the spring and summer, with Espoo acting
as its first pilot site.
If adopted, an electric sweeper robot would
reduce emissions and consume only 15% of the
energy used by the city’s existing diesel-powered
suction sweepers. In addition, the new technology
would reduce the amount of dust on the road
every spring.
Although the sweeper can, in principle, be
programmed to follow a designated route independently
and avoid any obstacles it encounters,
during the pilot phase it was monitored by two
people to ensure its smooth operation: one in
front and the other behind it.
“We want to be involved in the development
of technology like this that supports our climate
objectives. After the pilot phase, the development
of the device will continue and, for example,
the technology for emptying the grit tank will be
further improved. It is possible that the experiments
in Espoo will continue over the coming few
springs,” says Public Works Director Harri Tanska.
In the pilot
phase, Trombia
Free still
required people
to supervise its
operation, one
going in front
and the other
behind it.
A magazine for Espoo residents 13