Smart Sweeper Machine
Muhamad Syafiq bin Zainun1, a*, Nur Raihana binti Sukri2,b and Intan Liyana
binti Ramli3,c
Abstract. Majority of cleaning service companies in Malaysia still use conventional broom for road
sweeping work. Road sweeping activity by using conventional sweeper requires more energy and
cause ergonomic problems for the long term. Another alternative is a mini road sweeper that uses fuel
but still costs a lot for maintenance. Apart from that, there are also mini road sweeper that uses
batteries in the market but the operating costs for this type of machine is relatively high. Innovation
to increase the productivity of road sweeping activities while preserving the environment is extremely
important in this era of industrial revolution 4.0. Nowadays, hybrid solar system is an interesting
choice in green technology and widely used as an alternative to replace the energy produced by fossil
fuels. This machine uses a hybrid solar system for the drive wheel where the 12V battery for the drive
wheel is connected directly to the inverter. This system is ideal for road cleaning operation with
minimal impact to the environment. The machine has two motor-driven brushes, two vacuums and a
trash can. The front brush will collect debris or leaves along the way. In addition, two vacuums are
installed to form a high-speed rotating airflow inside the cylinder barrel; or known as a cyclone action.
This machine is wirelessly operated by a remote control for a maximum distance of 300 meters. The
remote control will control the movement of the machine, vacuum, brush and safety lights. Thus, the
ergonomic problems that occur with existing manual road sweepers can be solved.
Keywords: Road Sweeping Machine, Hybrid Technology, Cyclone Vacuum, Ergonomic
Corresponding author
Muhamad Syafiq bin Zainun*
1
Jabatan Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Politeknik Banting Selangor, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, 42700
Banting, Selangor, Malaysia.
a
e-mail: [email protected]
2
Jabatan Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Politeknik Banting Selangor, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, 42700
Banting, Selangor, Malaysia.
b
e-mail: [email protected]
3
Jabatan Kejuruteraan Mekanikal, Politeknik Banting Selangor, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, 42700
Banting, Selangor, Malaysia.
c
email: [email protected]
1 Introduction
Majority of cleaning service companies in Malaysia still use conventional broom for road sweeping
work. Road sweeping activity by using conventional sweeper requires more energy and cause
ergonomic problems for the long term. Study by [6] shows that this conventional method for street
sweeping work increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and related disabilities.
Moreover, research conducted by [7] concluded that the exposure to dust in sweepers has an
immediate irritating effect on the respiratory tract, leading to some degree of lung function
impairment.
Another alternative is a mini road sweeper that uses fuel but still costs a lot for maintenance. Apart
from that, there are also mini road sweeper that use batteries in the market but the operating costs for
this type of machine is relatively high.
Innovation to increase the productivity of road sweeping activities while preserving the
environment is extremely important in this era of industrial revolution 4.0. Nowadays, hybrid solar
systems are an attractive choice in green technology and are widely used as an alternative to the
energy produced by fossil fuels.
2 Literature Review
Presently equipment used for manual street sweepings are brooms, shovels, and containers. Figure
1 shows a worker from Alam Flora Sdn Bhd using conventional broom with long handle for road
sweeping activity. The purpose of the broom is to gather the street wastes which then have to be
picked up and placed in a bin or garbage plastic bag. As per mentioned by [4], this whole process
needs continuous physical tasks such as manually sweeping in the standing posture for long durations,
bending while collecting the swept waste, pushing and pulling the wheelbarrow, and manually lifting
the baskets to deposit waste. This tiring physical activity can be eliminated with a suitable machine
especially the one with remote control.
Figure 1: Conventional broom used by Alam Flora Sdn Bhd
For the fabrication of the "Smart Sweeper" machine, we refer to various sources and make a survey
of the most suitable method used for the manufacture of this machine. This machine moves using
solar-based energy sources, which are easier to use, more profitable compared to other energy
sources. Solar energy is renewable energy, safe to use, and environmentally friendly [1,2,3,6,7,8].
3 Methodology
Figure 2 shows the methodology of Smart Sweeper Machine where there are seven main phases to
develop this machine. Construction of this machine begins with the machine design phase. The
machine design phase begins with a discussion with Alam Flora Sdn Bhd company where several
important things are listed by the company to be used as guidelines in designing machines.
Researchers have also made a visit to Dataran Putrajaya to get a true picture of road sweeping
activities. After that, several machine designs have been shortlisted and discussed with Alam Flora
Sdn Bhd to obtain design that meet the set criteria.
Next, the machine frame assembly process is done based on the machine design that has been
agreed. The machine frame is made using rectangular hollow iron and is connected using welding
method. The next phase is the development of a cyclone system where a tank is fabricated and
attached to the engine frame. The process of building this tank requires good welding skills because
this tank is cylindrical in shape. Two vacuums are installed to form a high-speed rotating airflow
inside the cylinder tank or known as a cyclone action.
This machine uses a hybrid solar system for the drive wheel where two 7.2Ah 12V batteries are
connected in parallel to 14.4Ah 12V for the drive wheel connected to the 12 Ah motor. The solar
panel used is 5.56A 18V which takes an hour to two hours to charge the battery attached to the inverter
connected to the motor. The full capacity battery is capable of moving the machine for 300 meters
distance.
This system is ideal for road sweeping operations with minimal impact on the environment. The
machine has two motor-driven brushes, two vacuums and a trash can. The front brush will collect
debris or leaves along the way. This machine is wirelessly operated by a remote control for a
maximum distance of 300 meters. The remote control will control the movement of the machine,
vacuum, brush and safety lights.
The final process is the process of testing the machine at the work field. The machine testing
process was done twice at Dataran Putrajaya with the representative of Alam Flora Sdn Bhd. This
machine testing process is done to get company feedback on the capabilities of this machine and after
that the improvement process is done as a result of comments after the machine is tested.
Machine design
Installation of machine
frame
Cyclone system
development
Solar hybrid system
installation
Brush system
installation
Development of
machine control system
Machine efficiency
testing
Figure 2: Smart Sweeper Machine Methodology
3 Analysis and Results
This machine is able to perform road sweeping work as shown in Table 1 and Table 2. Table 1 shows
the total area covered by using Smart Sweeper Machine in one minute and one hour. This machine
can sweep for 1080 m2 area in one hour.
Management team from Alam Flora Sdn Bhd stated that working hour for sweeping activity is six
hours per day during sunny day and less than that on rainy day. Therefore, this machine is tested to
work in six consecutive hours. As a result, Table 2 shows the results for the road sweep distance in
six operating hours. The speed for Smart Sweeper Machine can be selected from one which is the
slowest until four for the fastest speed. This setting is made to fit the operation condition. The slowest
speed is required after rain because of the rubbish becomes wet and heavier. This machine is able to
sweep for minimum 1.6 km and maximum 5 km for six working hours. The results are substantially
better than manual sweeping activity where one worker only able to sweep 1 km distance in six
working hours.
Meanwhile Figure 3 shows Smart Sweeper Machine is being used by cleaning workers. It is clearly
showing that the worker has no risk in developing MSDs or other related disabilities when operating
the machine.
Figure 4 shows the machine being tested at the Dataran Putrajaya with personnel from Alam Flora
Sdn Bhd. This machine has been tested twice at Dataran Putrajaya with Alam Flora Sdn Bhd. Both
testing sessions were done to evaluate the suction capability of this machine. The cyclonic vacuum
developed in this machine was able to collect small leaves and tree branches along the Dataran
Putrajaya.
Table 1: Road Sweep Area by Smart Sweeper Machine
Time Area
1 min 18 m2
1 Hour 1080 m2
Table 2: Road Sweep Distance for 6 Working Hours
Smart Sweeper Machine Conventional Broom
Machine Speed Distance Distance
4 5 km
3 4 km
1 km
2 2.6 km
1 1.6 km
Figure 3: Smart Sweeper Machine
Figure 4: Testing at Dataran Putrajaya with Alam Flora Sdn Bhd
4 Conclusion
Through various studies, analysis, development and improvements made during the fabrication
process of this machine, it has been proven that Smart Sweeper Machine that uses a hybrid solar
system is able to increase the productivity of road sweeping activity compared with conventional
broom currently used by Alam Flora Sdn Bhd. This machine can sweep for maximum 5 km in six
working hours. The results are substantially better than manual sweeping activity where one worker
only able to sweep 1 km distance in six working hours. This technology can also be classified as a
green technology where the use of solar hybrids can help reduce the use of fuel as a source of power
to perform a job. Ergonomic problems can also be indirectly reduced by using this machine.
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