Refuse collection drone with bag loader and bin exchange

A refuse collection system, comprising:

• a plurality of refuse collection robots, each refuse collection robot comprising:
• a chassis;
• a tractive element coupled to the chassis;
• a motor coupled to the chassis and the tractive element and configured to drive the tractive element to propel the refuse collection robot;
• a refuse container coupled to the chassis and defining a storage volume;
• and
• an implement assembly coupled with the chassis, the implement assembly configured to grasp and load a garbage bag into the storage volume of the refuse container without piercing the garbage bag;
• and
• a controller configured to operate at least one refuse collection robot to transport to, grasp, and load the garbage bag into the storage volume.

A method for collecting refuse, the method comprising:

• receiving a request for refuse collection including a pickup zone and bin information;
• and
• operating a refuse collection robot to:
• navigate to the pickup zone;
• deliver a first refuse container based at least on the bin information;
• and
• collect a second refuse container containing a volume of refuse from the pickup zone.