AMP Robotics is bringing AI and robotics to the messy, labor-intensive world of recycling. Founded in 2014 by Matanya Horowitz while he was at Caltech, the company builds robotic sorting systems that use computer vision to identify and pick recyclable materials from conveyor belts at speeds no human can match.
The system runs on AMP Neuron, an AI platform trained on billions of images of recyclable materials. It can distinguish between different types of plastics, paper grades, metals, cartons, and contaminants in real time. The robotic arms make up to 80 picks per minute with accuracy rates exceeding 95%. Facilities can deploy multiple robots on a single line, and the system gets smarter over time as it processes more material.
AMP has installed its systems at recycling facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, working with major waste management companies including Waste Management, Republic Services, and SUEZ. The company also operates AMP Clarity, a data analytics platform that gives facility operators real-time visibility into material composition, throughput rates, and sorting quality. AMP raised over $200 million in funding, including backing from Sequoia Capital and XN. The team has grown to about 300 employees. The business case is compelling — robots reduce labor costs, improve material recovery rates, and generate revenue from higher-quality sorted materials. As recycling mandates tighten globally, demand for AI-powered sorting keeps climbing.
