The construction industry generates over one-third of the total waste in the European Union, with even higher proportions in the United States, where construction waste exceeds household waste by more than double. Despite the scale of this problem, many waste management companies lack visibility into critical data like the location and fill levels of their bins. Oslo-based startup Sensorita aims to solve this issue using smart sensors and digital twin technology, bringing data-driven efficiency to a traditionally manual process.
Founded in 2020 as a university project, Sensorita’s innovative solution uses radar sensors and machine learning to create digital twins of waste bins. These digital representations offer waste management companies real-time updates on bin locations and fill levels, enabling optimized collection schedules and reducing unnecessary trips. CEO Ulrikke Lien noted that the limited data currently available in waste management hinders effective decision-making. By digitizing this process, Sensorita provides companies with insights to streamline their operations, cut costs, and save time.
Initially, Sensorita focused on household waste but later pivoted to construction waste after identifying its unique challenges and greater market potential. The fragmented nature of household waste, combined with public funding, made it a difficult segment for startups to enter. In contrast, the construction sector presents a significant, centralized market where accurate data can lead to immediate operational improvements.
The company’s first pilot was launched in February 2022 with Ragn-Sells, a major waste management firm. Since then, Sensorita has expanded its client base to include four key industry players, demonstrating strong early adoption. In 2023, the startup secured $3.25 million in funding led by Brick and Mortar Ventures, bringing its total funding to $6 million.
Sensorita’s core solution lies in its use of radar and machine learning technologies. By equipping construction waste bins with these sensors, the company offers real-time monitoring capabilities, enabling waste management firms to plan pickups based on actual data instead of rough estimates. This approach helps reduce the time and resources spent on manual checks, which have been a common practice in the low-margin waste industry.
Lien highlighted the disparity in data availability between waste management and other industries, emphasizing the need for better insights. Sensorita’s technology bridges this gap, providing critical information that helps companies make informed decisions, ultimately improving efficiency and profitability.
With strong initial traction in Norway, Sensorita plans to expand its services beyond the region. The company is also enhancing its sensor technology to detect the type of material in each waste bin, which would further streamline sorting and recycling processes. Additionally, Sensorita is developing a virtual assistant aimed at automating parts of the waste management workflow, reducing the burden on companies and boosting overall efficiency.
