Summary
Public WM materials indicate active use or pilots of at least five on‑board technology families: cameras+AI contamination detection (Smart Truck), on‑board computers/tablets & telematics, route optimization, driver‑safety video systems, and alternative powertrains (CNG/RNG) with electric truck pilots underway. See details and citations below.
Evidence table — on‑truck & closely related
| Technology family | What WM publishes | Representative evidence (links) |
|---|---|---|
| Cameras + AI contamination detection (Smart Truck) | Cameras on collection trucks capture contamination/overage; photos reviewed; customers notified; events recorded on the truck’s onboard computer to track patterns using AI. | WM Sustainability: Smart Truck overview • WM FAQ: What is Smart Truck? • Local FAQ (2025): camera use & contamination |
| On‑board computers & telematics | Drivers use tablets for logistics support and route optimization; telematics support fleet management and proactive maintenance notifications. | Smart Fleet page (tablets, DriveCam) • 2022 Sustainability Report (telematics, proactive maintenance) • 2018 Operations (tablets for route optimization) |
| Route optimization | Optimized routes and logistics referenced across WM materials; tablets used to support route efficiency; investor materials cite data science and route optimization. | Smart Fleet (tablets/route optimization) • Investor remarks (route optimization/data science) |
| Driver‑safety video systems | DriveCam (driver coaching/safety) called out as part of Smart Fleet. | Smart Fleet (DriveCam) |
| Alternative powertrains (CNG/RNG) | WM operates the industry’s largest heavy‑duty natural‑gas truck fleet in North America; increasing RNG allocation to the fleet. | 2024 Sustainability Report (12,000+ NG trucks; “largest”) • 2025 earnings release (fleet size statement) |
| Electric truck pilots | Eight heavy‑duty electric collection truck pilots with multiple manufacturers; pilots expanding despite range/capacity/infra constraints. | 2024 Sustainability Report (EV pilots) • 2025 Sustainability Report (eight pilots; challenges) • Sustainable Fleet page (ongoing pilots) |
| Autonomy (related, facility‑side) | Testing remote‑controlled and autonomous heavy equipment at operational sites (safety/efficiency). Not collection‑truck autonomy. | 2025 Sustainability Report (autonomous heavy equipment) |
| Other on‑truck sensors (methane/VOC, thermal IR on trucks, SDR, etc.) | No WM‑authored, company‑wide public documentation found for collection‑truck deployments. Facility‑side thermal/robotics noted. | Logistics & Fleet Fast Facts (AI/IoT, robotics, thermal imaging at facilities) |
Notes & scope
- Scope: Focused on WM‑authored materials (corporate pages, sustainability reports, investor PDFs, WM‑hosted local FAQs). Local program PDFs illustrate active use in specific municipalities and often mirror broader WM programs.
- On‑truck vs. facility: Some innovation (e.g., robotics, thermal fire detection) is documented primarily at facilities rather than on collection trucks.
- Currency: Checked through WM 2025 Sustainability Report and 2025 earnings/news posts. Always verify local practices with your WM municipal contract lead.
Source links (canonical)
- Smart Truck overview (AI contamination tracking): WM Sustainability page
- Smart Truck FAQ (program description): WM FAQ
- Local Smart Truck FAQ (camera use & contamination, 2025): Monterey County PDF
- Smart Fleet (tablets, DriveCam): WM Smart Fleet page
- Telematics & proactive maintenance: 2022 Sustainability Report (PDF)
- Tablets for route optimization (historic ops PDF): 2018 Operations (PDF)
- Investor remarks on route optimization/data science: Investor PDF
- Largest natural‑gas fleet statements: 2024 Sustainability Report (PDF) • 2025 Earnings Release
- EV pilots (8 pilots; constraints): 2024 Sustainability Report • 2025 Sustainability Report • Sustainable Fleet page
- Facility‑side robotics/thermal imaging: Logistics & Fleet Fast Facts (PDF)