MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Graduating computer science students at the Milwaukee School of Engineering have built a semi-autonomous robot that uses artificial intelligence to spot and pick up litter from sidewalks and public spaces.

The Litter Bot, mounted on a four-legged robotic platform, uses a camera to identify common waste items like cups and wrappers, then picks them up using a robotic arm. The team says they designed it to support, not replace, existing cleanup crews.

The project was among nearly 100 on display at MSOE's 2026 Senior Project Showcase on Friday, May 15.