January 30, 2025
The Consumer Electronics Show® (CES) touts the conference as the meeting place for the brightest tech luminaries to pioneer the future and solve the world's biggest problems.
McNeilus was proud to be featured at the 2025 event as part of Oshkosh Corporation’s booth, showcasing groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of technology and transformative advancements in refuse management. As a global industrial technology company, this was Oshkosh Corporation’s first time at the impactful event.
Watch a short video showing Oshkosh Corporation at CES, showcasing groundbreaking technologies like the McNeilus Volterra™ electric refuse vehicle. See the booth’s dynamic display, highlighting the expertise and innovative product designs driving progress across industries.
What were the key takeaways from the McNeilus team and the attendees we spoke with?
From cutting-edge electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles to AI-driven and autonomous systems, this year’s event highlighted how companies like McNeilus are driving progress in efficiency, safety and sustainability. Continue reading to learn more.
CES Key Takeaways
CES offered valuable insights and unveiled the latest innovations shaping the future of technology across industries, including refuse management. Here are the key takeaways:
Efficiency-Focused Design Helps Promote Driver Retention
The refuse industry faces challenges with driver turnover, costly replacement and training processes, and the inherent risks of one of the most dangerous professions in the United States — ranked as the seventh deadliest job according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
In response to these challenges, McNeilus worked closely with environmental services companies to develop an electric vehicle that prioritizes comfort, productivity and sustainability—helping companies retain drivers and attract new talent.
Driver-First Design
- A consistent-step height allows for effective boarding and exiting, helping address operator fatigue and provide a robust and accessible operating space.
- The cab offers outstanding visibility, promoting efficiency by helping drivers spot obstacles and potentially avoid incidents.
- The fully integrated cab provides spacious interior room compared to traditional designs, promoting driver efficiency, alertness and ease of operation.
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
- The system is fully installed at the factory and standard on every McNeilus® Volterra ZFL™ electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle.
- It features blind-spot monitoring, radar-based 360-degree camera view, forward and rear collision notifications, park assist, a backup camera, rear cross-traffic assist, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.
Electric Refuse Vehicles Designed for Urban Settings
Urban environments demand quiet, clean and efficient solutions for waste collection. McNeilus’ electric vehicles are designed to excel in these challenging conditions, including:
- Zero emissions, quiet operation, and offering full day’s range on a single charge.
- Regenerative braking systems, which further enhance energy efficiency.
- Tight turning radius making navigating urban streets and tight spaces manageable.
“The refuse and recycling collection management industry is undergoing a significant transformation as it embraces electrification and smarter technologies to meet modern demands. At CES, McNeilus showcased industry-leading innovations to support municipalities, drivers and neighborhoods of the future.“ – Lee Dreas, Vice President and General Manager of McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing
AI is Transforming the Future of Environmental Services
Advancements in AI and automation are changing the refuse and recycling industry, promoting efficiency, sustainability and safety in ways previously thought impossible. McNeilus is at the forefront of this transformation, integrating advanced technologies into its refuse and recycling vehicles to tackle modern challenges head-on.
AI-Enabled Bin Detection for Precision Pickups
One repetitive task in waste collection is the precise handling of bins. With AI-enabled bin detection, McNeilus refuse and recycling vehicles are able to utilize advanced sensors and machine learning to identify and position themselves accurately for collection. This system automates key steps in the pickup process, reducing the need for manual input while improving speed and precision. This results in streamlined operations, reduced operator fatigue and enhanced route efficiency.
McNeilus also showcased an electrified version of its proven ZR™ arm – displaying new enhancements in speed, control and precision.
Contamination Detection for Cleaner Recycling Streams
Recycling contamination is a persistent issue, which often leads to recyclables ending up in landfills. McNeilus addresses this with AI-powered contamination detection systems, capable of identifying non-recyclable materials in real time. Using edge-based processing, these systems ensure cleaner recycling streams while educating communities about proper recycling practices. By minimizing contamination, this advanced system helps to divert more recyclables from landfills, supporting both environmental and operational goals.
"AI-powered technologies like contamination detection are critical for reducing recyclables sent to landfills and improving overall sustainability in refuse and recycling collection management." – Lee Dreas, Vice President and General Manager of McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing
Automated Refuse Solutions Can Help Promote Efficiencies in Master Planned Communities
Encouraging route efficiency, McNeilus sister company Pratt Miller, also part of the Oshkosh Corporation portfolio, showcased an autonomous, electric refuse and recycling collection robot designed for master planned neighborhood communities, apartments or condominium spaces.
Called HARR-E™, the Hail-able Autonomous Refuse Robot – Electric, this technology offers a compelling on-demand solution in these communities before returning refuse to a central collection area for vehicle pickup. This robust solution was even honored with the CES Picks Awards within the TWICE category.
CES Refuse and Collection Vehicle
The McNeilus® Volterra ZFL™ fully integrated electric front loading refuse and recycling collection vehicle was on display at CES. Designed for commercial refuse and recycling collection, this vehicle provides a robust design for operator comfort and efficiency with controlling emissions.
McNeilus and parent company Oshkosh Corporation continue to invest in technologies and share innovation across the organization to best serve customers and solve the challenges of today and tomorrow. As municipalities and refuse management companies adopt smarter vehicle solutions, they are not only helping manage their carbon footprint but also helping enhance operational performance and worker satisfaction. This industry-wide transition represents a critical step toward a clean, quiet and more sustainable future for waste collection and recycling.
At CES, McNeilus was proud to showcase their efforts to support neighborhoods of the future and the strength of parent company Oshkosh Corporation. Did you see us there? What were your key takeaways? We’d love to hear more in the comments below.