AI-Powered Machine Saves Millions of Lego Pieces

Operating in Lancashire, WeBuyBricks has prevented 25 million unwanted Lego pieces from ending up in landfills thanks to its AI-powered Brick-O-Matic sorting machine.

AI-Powered Sorting Process

Operating at Hall Carr Mill in the town of Rawtenstall, Lancashire, WeBuyBricks buys unwanted Lego, cleans it, and sorts it to be resold.

The custom machine called Brick-O-Matic has the capacity to quickly recognize and classify individual pieces using cameras, artificial intelligence software, and air jets.

Processing Capacity of One Hundred Thousand Pieces Daily

Projects Manager Brad Hacking stated that manually sorting large quantities of mixed Lego was very difficult and that automation was vital for this process.

The system, where boxes of mixed Lego are placed, passes under cameras using artificial intelligence and machine learning software, capable of recognizing 60,000 different Lego pieces.

Fast and Effective Routing with Air Jets

Once identified, the pieces are directed into different channels via air jets and separated to be used in recreating sets.

Processing two pieces per second, this automation system offers a hundred times more efficiency compared to manual sorting methods.

Detection of Missing Pieces and Product Variety

There are currently over ten tons of Lego waiting to be processed at the facility site, and the system can determine how complete the sets are.

Popular themes handled by the business include sets with large fan bases such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, and DC.

Modern Technology in a Historic Building

All collected Lego is cleaned, checked for authenticity, cleared of foreign objects, and put on sale at 40 to 60 percent below their original prices.

Operating inside Hall Carr Mill, a historic structure dating back to 1872, the company brings modern artificial intelligence technology together with industrial heritage.