Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge by Suzhou University of Technology

Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge by Suzhou University of Technology is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Bronze in Robotica Competition Category.

BronzeRobotica· 2025

Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge

by Suzhou University of Technology

Client: Suzhou University of Technology

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Robotica Category

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The Design

About Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge

Tèxte del Libre: Opossum es un robòt concebut per netejar los carrièrs. Lo robòt trabalha de nuèch, quand los carrièrs son tranquils e lo trafic es feble. Un cap d'aspiracion retractable, en forma de braç de mantís, s'espandís jos las veituras estacionadas, de sòrta que las veituras ans pas besonh d'èsser desplaçadas. De captors e de cameras guidan la navegacion autonòma e ajudan lo robòt a evitar los obstacles. De panèls solars cargan las batariás d'emmagazinatge pendent lo jorn. Lo còs principal es fach en aliatge d'aluminí e las partidas mobilas en plastics tecnics d'auta resisténcia. Lo foncionament silenciós de nuèch redusís lo bruch e alleugeís la carga de trabalh dels trabalhadors del netejatge public.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze, una reconeissença plan prestigiosa acordada a de designs excellents que se destrian per la creativitat, l'engenh e la finessa. Los ganhaires del Bronze son d'artefactes largament abils e sorprenentament creatius que provan la vasta experiéncia, l'imaginacion e l'engenhositat de lors designers. S'espèra que Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge siá un objècte fòrça considerat, admirat e estimat, notablament professional e innovant. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze integra las melhoras practicas de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia e es excellent per son atencion al detalh. Opossum Foncion Primària: Robòt de Netejatge satisfa esplendidament los besonhs, toca los desirs, encanta los sentiments e interèssa la curiositat.

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.