Milton Keynes, one of the UK’s leading smart-city hubs, has started testing robot street cleaners after winning about £800,000 from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund. The robots will sweep pavements, remove ice, check roads, and find trip hazards. The trial is part of a wider £8.9 million package that supports sixteen technology projects across the country.
The city already hosts more than 2,500 tech businesses, and around a third of local jobs link to the digital industry. Earlier tests with autonomous buses and delivery robots gave useful experience in safety and navigation. The new cleaning-robot program builds on that record to see how automation can support city services.
Baroness Liz Lloyd, Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said, “We are supporting the use of robotics on Milton Keynes streets for cleaning, inspections, and safety monitoring, bringing real benefits to the public” (Lloyd).
How the Robots Work
Capra Robotics makes the machines used in the trial. Each robot carries sensors that help it move safely in busy streets and parks. The city has set up training so local apprentices can learn how to service and maintain the units. Some residents see the robots as proof that Milton Keynes stays ahead in innovation. Others are unsure about how automation may change traditional cleaning jobs. Local officials say the test will stay open and transparent so everyone can see the results.
The Role of 4D mmWave Radar in Urban Robots
4D millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar gives robots sharper awareness of their surroundings. It works in the 60–79 GHz band and detects objects from 0.2 to 350 meters, including long-range coverage up to 350 meters. The radar collects four data types—distance, speed, angle, and height—and updates them in real time.
In daily use, this means a robot can “see” through fog, rain, and dust where cameras or lasers struggle. The radar builds a point-cloud image that helps the system spot pavement cracks, debris, or standing water. By blending radar data with cameras and LiDAR through multi-sensor fusion, a robot gains a complete, stable picture of its environment. It can then plan routes, slow down near people, or stop before obstacles.
Linpowave and Its Radar Solutions
Linpowave, founded in 2015 in Ningbo, designs and produces 4D mmWave radar for robots, drones, vehicles, and smart-city systems. The company’s Robot Series includes short-range models (0.2–80 m) for close work and long-range models (up to 350 m) for wider surveillance.
The radars send high-resolution data that supports safe navigation and maintenance planning. For example, they can detect icy patches or uneven surfaces before a robot moves over them. Real-time data helps city managers schedule cleaning and repairs more efficiently and reduce downtime.
Benefits and Practical Issues
Main benefits
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All-weather sensing. The radar works in rain, fog, or dust, keeping robots operational when cameras fail.
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Accurate detection. Clear distance, angle, and speed data improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles.
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New skills. Technicians and apprentices learn how to manage advanced robotic systems.
Practical issues
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Public acceptance. Some residents worry about job changes; open communication can ease concerns.
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Operational proof. The one-year trial gathers data on how well robots perform in real conditions.
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Privacy. All sensor data must follow national privacy and security standards.
What the Trial Means for Smart-City Growth
The Milton Keynes project shows how automation can make city work safer and cleaner. Robots can handle routine, repetitive tasks, leaving workers to focus on complex or higher-value work. Using sensors such as mmWave radar supports reliable service even in difficult weather.
The government’s investment also builds experience that other councils can use. By testing these systems now, the UK gains evidence to guide future smart-infrastructure policy. If the trial succeeds, similar robots may appear in other cities for cleaning, inspection, and environmental monitoring.
FAQ: Robots and 4D mmWave Radar
1. What is Linpowave?
Linpowave is a radar-technology company founded in 2015. It develops 4D mmWave radar for robotics, drones, vehicles, and smart-city monitoring.
2. How does mmWave radar help robots?
It measures distance, speed, angle, and height at the same time, creating a live 3-D plus motion map that helps robots move safely and spot hazards.
3. How is it different from cameras or LiDAR?
Cameras depend on light, and LiDAR can be blocked by rain or dust. mmWave radar uses radio waves, so it works in poor weather and low light.
4. What range can it cover?
Short-range units read 0.2–80 meters; long-range units reach up to 350 meters. Both suit city environments.
5. Will robots replace human workers?
Robots may change how some tasks are done, but they also create new roles in maintenance, programming, and technical training. The trial helps study that balance.