Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura by Suzhou University of Technology

Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura by Suzhou University of Technology is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Robo Competition Category.

BuronzeRobo· 2025

Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura

by Suzhou University of Technology

Client: Suzhou University of Technology

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Robo Category

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The Design

About Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura

Umwandiko w'Igitabo: Opossum ni robo yateguwe kugira ngo isukure imihanda. Iyi robo ikora nijoro, igihe imihanda idafite urusaku kandi ibinyabiziga bikeya. Umutwe ukuramo umwuka ushobora kwaguka, ugenwe mu buryo bw'ukuboko kwa mantis, wagura munsi y'imodoka ziparitse, bityo imodoka ntizigomba kwimurwa. Ibikoresho byumva (sensors) na kamera bigenga urugendo rw'ubwikorezi kandi bifasha robo kwirinda ibibazo biyibangamira. Ibice by'izuba (solar panels) bicyura amabatiri y'imbitso ku manywa. Umubiri w'ingenzi ukozwe mu ikoranyifasi rya aluminiyumu (aluminium alloy), naho ibice bigenda bikozwe mu mapulasitike y'ubwubatsi afite imbaraga zikomeye. Gukora nijoro mu mucyo utuje bigabanya urusaku kandi bikoroshya umurimo w'abakozi b'isuku.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. Opossum Umurimo w'Ibanze: Robo yo Gusukura ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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.