Opossum Garbiketa Robota by Suzhou University of Technology

Opossum Garbiketa Robota by Suzhou University of Technology is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award in Robotika, Automata eta Automatizazio Diseinua Competition Category.

BrontzeRobotika· 2025

Opossum Garbiketa Robota

by Suzhou University of Technology

Client: Suzhou University of Technology

Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Robotika Category

27,650

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #171811

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Opossum Garbiketa Robota

Opossum kaleak garbitzeko diseinatutako robot bat da. Robotak gauez lan egiten du, kaleak lasai daudenean eta trafikoa txikia denean. Mantis-adar itxurako xurgatze-buru tolesgarri batek aparkatutako autoen azpian sartzen da, autoak mugitu beharrik gabe. Sentsoreek eta kamerek nabigazio autonomoa gidatzen dute eta robotari oztopoak saihesten laguntzen diote. Panel fotovoltaikoek egunez kargatzen dituzte biltegiratze bateriak. Gorputz nagusia aluminio aleaziozkoa da, eta zati mugikorrak erresistentzia handiko plastiko teknikoz eginak dira. Gauean isilik funtzionatzeak zarata murrizten du eta garbiketa-langileen lan-karga arintzen du.

The Recognition

About the Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award

Opossum Garbiketa Robota Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, sormenak, asmamenak eta zorroztasunak bereizten dituzten diseinu bikainei ematen zaien aitorpen oso prestijiotsua. Brontze-mailako irabazleak trebetasunez beteriko eta nabarmenki sortzaileak diren artefaktuak dira, beren diseinatzaileen esperientzia zabala, irudimena eta ekimena egiaztatzen dutenak. Opossum Garbiketa Robota oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den objektua izatea espero da, nabarmenki profesionala eta berritzailea dena. Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren praktika onenak biltzen ditu eta xehetasunei ematen dien arretagatik bikaina da. Opossum Garbiketa Robota beharrak bikain asetzen dituen, desirak ukitzen dituen, sentimenduak xarmatzen dituen eta jakin-mina erakartzen duen lana da.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This design is a robot designed for street cleaning. It has a unique retractable suction head, similar to a mantis arm, enabling it to clean under cars without moving them. Unlike traditional robots used for street cleaning, it's charged via solar energy during the day and works at night, reducing noise and environmental pollution. This robot reduces sanitation workers' workload, especially their duties in the early morning, and innovates urban cleaning. Its design combines practicality and environmental protection.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 1560 mm x Length 3570 mm x Height 1940 mm
Tags: Electric, low noise, staggered, sweeping, robotic, sustainable
Production Technology: This design uses lightweight, durable materials like aluminum alloy for the main body and high - strength engineering plastics for moving parts. The solar - charging system consists of efficient photovoltaic panels and energy - storage batteries. The navigation system employs sensors, cameras, and algorithms for autonomous movement. The mantis - arm - like suction head uses flexible materials and precise mechanical structures for effective cleaning. We optimized production through modular design and 3D printing for rapid prototyping and iterative improvements.
Design Challenge: Key challenges include creating a flexible yet strong mechanical arm to reach under cars, designing a navigation system for safe and efficient night - time operations, and developing an energy - efficient solar - charging system.
Research: This project, inspired by opossums' nocturnal behavior, is an applied design research innovation. Through user research, bionic design, and smart sensor technology integration, it offers an efficient, eco-friendly urban-cleaning solution. This design enhances urban cleanliness, minimizes disturbance, and demonstrates how bionic approaches can solve real - world problems, influencing future design thinking and sustainable urban development.
Inspiration: My design is inspired by an opossum I came across during a night trip. Opossums are nocturnal, unlike humans. So I thought about whether street sprinklers and cleaning vehicles could work at night, just like opossums, to avoid the daytime crowds.
Project Duration: The project started in October 2024 in Changshu and finished in April 2025 in Suzhou.
Operation Flow: At night, the robot activates autonomously. It navigates streets using sensors and cameras, avoiding obstacles. The mantis - arm - like suction head extends to clean under cars. After cleaning, it returns to its charging station. This stagger operation reduces disturbance to daily life. The robot's quiet, efficient cleaning, enabled by solar power and innovative design, ensures better results with minimal energy use. Its autonomous navigation and specialized cleaning mechanism allow it to operate effectively in urban environments, enhancing overall cleanliness with minimal human intervention.
Patents: Pending patent No. 2025021801457250. 2025. China
Team Members: Zhu Wenzhuo
Lei Xi'er
Zhang Weiwei
Image Credits: Image #1: Rendering Zhu WenZhuo, Street Cleaning Robot Design, 2025.