Meet the Scarab. This robot is like the Roomba, but built for heavier-duty cleaning. This is designed to be used in shopping centers or urban streets. It sweeps and cleans up the trash, then locates the nearest trash receptacle that it can use and dumps the trash there. It has two cameras for locating trash and then sweeps it up using its collectors.

It runs on electricity as well, certainly making it a nice alternative to gas-powered cleaners that are currently in use.

Now, I can certainly see this running in a shopping center after it is closed. It would make a lot of sense and be incredibly efficient. However, I am not so sure this could be used on city streets. What would stop someone from just picking it up an taking it? Or running over it in their car on accident (or, if you are a former street sweeper – on purpose).

Still, this is  a fantastic design.  This is just conceptual at this phase, so no details like cost, when/if it will be available or who will even make it.

Still, very impressive design from Olga Kalugina. It would be great to see this become a reality someday.

Check out more pictures of this awesome robot below.

(via Tuvie)