Safety powered by XTrack VisionAI
About the Client
ZÖLLER-KIPPER GmbH – the European leader in manufacturing municipal service vehicles, known for pioneering innovations in waste collection technology
The Challenge
Waste collection crews work in a highly dynamic environment. The lifter zone — where containers are picked up and emptied — is especially hazardous due to:
- Limited visibility, especially at close range
- Moving equipment operating under significant force
- Fast-changing surroundings, including pedestrians, workers and containers
- Pressure for fast operational decisions
ZÖLLER-KIPPER needed a solution that went far beyond standard camera monitoring. The objective was to build a system that could::
- Understand context
- Predict hazardous situations
- React automatically and instantly
- Improve efficiency by automatically adapting lifter settings for 2- and 4-wheel containers
All without requiring operator intervention.
The Solution: Z-CAM powered by XTrack VisionAI
At the heart of the solution is Z-CAM, an intelligent rear-view safety system equipped with XTrack VisionAI. Together, they transform a standard camera into an autonomous, decision-capable safety module.
What Z-CAM + VisionAI can do?
- Detect and differentiate people and containers in the lifter area
- Assess risk levels based on proximity and movement
- Automatically stop or block the lifter when danger is detected
- Switch operating modes between 2- and 4-wheel containers
- Operate entirely autonomously, without requiring driver interaction
This system not only prevents accidents — it optimises workflow and increases the speed and accuracy of every lift cycle.
Why Z-CAM + XTrack VisionAI is a breakthrough?
1. True autonomy
The system doesn’t just capture video — it interprets it. VisionAI identifies people, containers and movement patterns and makes safety decisions in real time.
2. Future-ready architecture
Z-CAM can be expanded with additional capabilities such as:
- Container content analysis
- Extended risk monitoring
- Advanced event classification
3. Seamless integration
Designed to work directly with municipal vehicle lifter control systems, ensuring smooth, reliable operation without workflow interruption.
4. Local processing & data security
All AI processing takes place on the vehicle, ensuring:
- No data storage
- No data transmission
- Full compliance with privacy regulations
Impact and Results
- The deployment of Z-CAM with XTrack VisionAI delivered measurable improvements:
- Significant increase in operator and crew safety
- Greater operational efficiency thanks to automation
- Reduced human error and fewer operational delays
- Compliance with safety regulations and readiness for future standards
- Faster, more effective waste collection cycles
Z-CAM is now a core component of Zoeller’s control systems and is showcased at leading industry events such as Pollutec Lyon and Ecomondo Rimini.
XTrack’s role in the project
XTrack contributed key technology elements, including:
- Advanced computer vision models used by hundreds of clients across Europe
- First-ever deployment of XTrack VisionAI for true edge processing
- Integration with Zoeller’s lifter control systems, ensuring robust performance in demanding field conditions
This collaboration marks a major milestone in the evolution of municipal vehicle automation.
“Since 50% of all refuse collection vehicles in Europe operate using ZOELLER-KIPPER technology, taking part in this project is both an honour and an exciting step into the future.
We’ve been working on XTrack Vision systems for over 10 years, and seeing them become part of Zoeller’s technology is a source of immense pride—for the whole team.
This is a project I’m personally very proud of. The collaboration, the innovation, and the shared vision for smarter, safer vehicles make me genuinely excited about what comes next.”
— Piotr Frydrychowicz, CEO XTrack
Who is Z-CAM + VisionAI designed for?
- Waste collection companies seeking to increase safety and operator comfort
- Fleet operators looking for retrofit-ready safety technology
- Tenders requiring verifiable safety and efficiency standards
- Organisations investing in AI-driven automation for future fleet operations
Interested in exploring what XTrack VisionAI can do for your fleet?
👉 Contact our team to learn more.
👉See Zoeller’s official presentation of Z-CAM: https://www.zoeller-kipper.de/en/product/z-cam/
