Project journey: ARLI
ARLI builds on several years of work with autonomous systems and city operations. Below you can see some of the key milestones in the project and how we bring the robot from concept to real streets.
2023-2026
March–December 2023
In the project’s initial phase, several test areas across Aarhus were selected and assessed to reflect different urban settings and GPS conditions relevant to municipal operations. These areas formed the basis for later technical testing in real-world environments. Approval for autonomous test drives was also secured from the Danish Transport Authority.
December 2023 – September 2024
Led by DTU, Capra Robotics, and Bygkontrol, the project selected and tested LiDAR sensors with a focus on both accuracy and cost. In parallel, the technical requirements for the robot platform were defined, and sensors, software, and data logging were integrated to ensure stable operation in real urban environments.
April 2024 – 2026
DTU, Capra Robotics, and Bygkontrol develop and test sensor fusion that combines GPS (GNSS), inertial sensors (INS), and gradually LiDAR to enable stable navigation in dense urban areas and other locations with weak or missing GPS signals. LiDAR is progressively integrated as an active part of navigation to improve accuracy and operational reliability in complex city environments.
October 2024 – 2026
ARLI develops methods that turn LiDAR scans into actionable data and compares new measurements with a reference 3D model of the city. This makes it possible to identify changes in public spaces—such as bulky waste, potholes, or fallen branches blocking a path.
August 2025
On 29 August 2025, ARLI marked a Danish first at the technology festival Vilde teknologier, as Capra Robotics’ robot drove autonomously in Aarhus’ public urban space for the first time. The demonstration was opened by Rabih Azad-Ahmad, Councillor for Culture and Citizen Services in the City of Aarhus, and carried out in collaboration with Aarhus Citylab with the necessary approvals in place. During the day, visitors joined guided tours to experience the robot up close. ARLI also featured a dedicated outdoor area showcasing a range of self-driving robots and use cases.
October–December 2025
Exploration of scaling opportunities and practical challenges. The project included interviews with the waste management company Kredsløb and its subcontractor Verdis, as well as participation in meetings between Capra Robotics and the Winter Service / Department of Technical Services (MTM). The purpose was to gain a deeper understanding of existing workflows and identify where the use of LiDAR technology could be integrated effectively.