Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza by Suzhou University of Technology

Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza by Suzhou University of Technology is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Bronce in Deseño de Robótica, Autómatas e Automatización Competition Category.

BronceRobótica· 2025

Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza

by Suzhou University of Technology

Client: Suzhou University of Technology

A' Design Award de Bronce Winner in Robótica Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza

Texto do Libro: Opossum é un robot deseñado para a limpeza de rúas. O robot funciona pola noite, cando as rúas están tranquilas e o tráfico é escaso. Unha cabeza de succión retráctil, con forma de brazo de mantis, esténdese por baixo dos coches aparcados, polo que non é necesario movelos. Sensores e cámaras guían a navegación autónoma e axudan ao robot a evitar obstáculos. Os paneis solares cargan as baterías de almacenamento durante o día. O corpo principal está feito de aliaxe de aluminio e as partes móbiles de plásticos de enxeñaría de alta resistencia. O funcionamento silencioso pola noite reduce o ruído e alixeira a carga de traballo dos traballadores de saneamento.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronce

Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza gañou o A' Design Award de Bronce, un recoñecemento altamente prestixioso outorgado a deseños sobresaíntes que se distinguen pola creatividade, o enxeño e a sagacidade. Os gañadores Bronce son artefactos amplamente hábiles e sorprendentemente creativos que autentican a vasta experiencia, imaxinación e enxeño dos seus deseñadores. Espérase que Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza sexa un obxecto moi apreciado, admirado e querido, notablemente profesional e innovador. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Bronce incorpora as mellores prácticas da arte, a ciencia, o deseño e a tecnoloxía, e é excelente pola súa atención ao detalle. Opossum Función Principal: Robot de Limpeza satisfai espléndidamente as necesidades, toca os desexos, encanta os sentimentos e atrae a curiosidade.

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.