SK tes and EDB Partner to Deploy AI Robotics in E-Waste Processing
Source: ACCESS Newswire
SK tes has announced a strategic AI and robotics collaboration with the Singapore EDB and local firm Aubotic Technology to co-develop advanced robotic solutions for e-waste processing. The EDB-backed initiative has already delivered measurable improvements including automated battery detection and safer material handling at Singapore pilot facilities.
SK tes, a global leader in sustainable battery recycling and technology lifecycle services, has announced a strategic AI and robotics collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and local automation firm Aubotic Technology to bring advanced robotic solutions to e-waste processing. The initiative, backed by EDB grant funding, is already delivering measurable improvements in sorting accuracy, battery detection, and worker safety at pilot facilities in Singapore.
Traditional e-waste recycling is heavily labour-intensive, relying on manual sorting, inspection, and dismantling — processes that are slow, inconsistent, and expose workers to hazardous materials. The SK tes collaboration directly addresses these bottlenecks by applying AI-powered computer vision and robotic automation to early-stage processing tasks. A standout innovation is the automatic detection of portable batteries that remain hidden inside discarded packaging, significantly reducing the risk of thermal events and fires that plague e-waste facilities globally.
The project builds on groundwork laid in 2025, when SK tes first partnered with Aubotic to research automation for e-waste workflows. SK tes Chief Strategy Officer Luke Shin said the collaboration 'shows how AI and robotics can be applied in real industrial environments to deliver tangible sustainability and operational gains.' The Singapore pilots serve as a testbed for capabilities that SK tes plans to roll out across its 40-plus facilities in 22 countries, amplifying the impact far beyond the city-state.
Singapore's role as a circular economy innovation hub is central to the partnership. The EDB's grant funding reflects a strategic bet that pairing global recycling expertise with Singapore-based automation development can produce scalable solutions for the growing volumes of retired technology worldwide. With electronics waste rising faster than any other waste stream, the economic and environmental stakes are significant — and automation is essential to making recycling economically viable at scale.
Why it matters for Singapore: This collaboration plants a flag for Singapore in the intersection of sustainability and industrial AI. By hosting SK tes' pilot and co-developing automation with a local partner, the EDB is positioning Singapore as a proving ground for AI-driven circular economy solutions. The know-how developed here — safer battery handling, automated sorting, scalable robotics — won't just serve Singapore's own e-waste challenge; it will be exported globally through SK tes' network, giving Singapore an outsized role in shaping how the world handles its retired electronics.