Oshkosh Corporation, a century-old American manufacturer renowned for its military vehicles and specialized equipment, is venturing into the commercial electric vehicle market with a vision to transform neighborhood services. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Oshkosh unveiled a range of electric vehicles designed for essential community functions like waste management and fire safety, integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced safety and efficiency. This strategic move signifies a significant expansion for the company, traditionally associated with defense contracting, and follows their undertaking to produce the next generation of delivery vehicles for the United States Postal Service (USPS). While this project has faced reported delays, Oshkosh remains committed to delivering a substantial fleet of electric postal trucks.
Central to Oshkosh’s vision for neighborhood services is the McNeilus Volterra ZFL, a fully electric front-loading garbage truck equipped with an AI-powered refuse bin detection system. This sophisticated system utilizes sensors to pinpoint the location of garbage bins and guides the truck into the optimal position for collection. A robotic arm then extends, grasps the bin, and lifts it for disposal, automating a traditionally labor-intensive process. Further enhancing waste management efficiency, Oshkosh is introducing an AI-powered contamination identification system. This vision-based technology identifies and removes inappropriate items from waste and recycling streams, promoting proper disposal practices and reducing contamination.
Beyond the automated garbage truck, Oshkosh is deploying HARR-E, an autonomous electric refuse collection robot designed for on-demand service. Residents can request trash and recycling pickup through a smartphone app or virtual home assistants like Amazon Alexa, mirroring the convenience of ride-hailing services. HARR-E operates from a central collection point within the neighborhood, autonomously navigating to residents’ homes for pickup before returning to base for unloading and recharging. This innovative approach aims to streamline waste management and personalize the collection experience.
Oshkosh’s foray into neighborhood services extends beyond waste management to encompass fire safety. The company is introducing the Collision Avoidance Mitigation System (CAMS), a crucial safety feature for emergency vehicles. Utilizing a combination of advanced camera and radar sensors coupled with AI, CAMS detects the trajectory, speed, and proximity of approaching vehicles relative to a parked emergency vehicle. This system provides critical advance warning of potential collisions, enhancing the safety of emergency personnel during roadside operations.
These technological advancements highlight Oshkosh’s commitment to leveraging AI and electric vehicle technology to modernize essential community services. The company’s diverse portfolio of electric vehicles also includes airport vehicles like a robotic cargo handler, as well as EVs for construction sites. However, it is the neighborhood-focused EVs that hold the greatest potential for immediate visibility and community impact, provided Oshkosh can successfully navigate production and deployment challenges.
While Oshkosh executives express optimism about their new ventures and highlight positive initial feedback on the USPS delivery trucks, the company faces potential headwinds. Changes in government policies, including potential reductions in EV incentives, pose a challenge to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Despite these uncertainties, Oshkosh is pushing forward with its ambitious plans, aiming to revolutionize neighborhood services with its innovative combination of electric and autonomous vehicle technologies. The success of these initiatives will depend on overcoming production hurdles, securing necessary funding, and gaining public acceptance for these new technologies in everyday community life.
