Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi by Suzhou University of Technology

Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi by Suzhou University of Technology is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Karetao, Pūrere Aunoa me te Aunoa Competition Category.

ParahiKaretao· 2025

Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi

by Suzhou University of Technology

Client: Suzhou University of Technology

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Karetao Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi

Kuputuhi Pukapuka: Ko Opossum he karetao i hangaia mō te horoi tiriti. Ka mahi te karetao i te pō, i te wā e marino ana ngā tiriti me te iti o ngā waka e haere ana. He upoko miti kukume, e āhua rite ana ki te ringa o te mantis, ka toro ki raro i ngā waka e tū ana, nā reira kāore e hiahiatia ana kia nekehia ngā waka. Ko ngā pūoko rongo me ngā kāmera e ārahi ana i te whakatere aunoa me te āwhina i te karetao ki te karo i ngā ārai. Ka whakakī ngā pae rā i ngā pātengi hiko i te awatea. Ko te tinana matua i hangaia mai i te whakauru konumohe, ā, ko ngā wāhanga nekeneke i hangaia mai i te kirihou hangarau kaha-nui. Mā te mahi pō marino e whakaiti ai te haruru me te whakangāwari i te taumahatanga mahi mō ngā kaimahi horoi taiao.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Opossum Mahi Tuatahi: Karetao Horoi i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

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.