Written by Team ROBOHOLICS from Estonia won the international student design competition for their concept for a waste collection vehicle which could operate both on land and in the sea.
The first-year students representing TTK UAS (University of Applied Sciences) saw off competition from more than 100 students teams representing 29 institutions.
Sander Siigur, Hanno-Laur Kunnus and Mihhail Bõstrov, who are studying electrical engineering, took part in the two-day Designathon, Designing a Green Tomorrow, organised by Autodesk and KnowledgePoint.
Commenting on their win:
“All problems are locks waiting for the right key. We learnt how to work under pressure and how to work with Fusion. The best part was the 10-hour locked in timeframe we had for the design phase. It really made us push our limits. A first-place award in an international event like the Designathon will definitely look good on an engineering CV.”
The Designathon Designing a Green Tomorrow involved teams of industrial design and engineering students learning and competing during a two-day online event. They learnt how smart design can play a part in the transition towards a more sustainable future. Student teams showcased their creativity and design skills in crafting concepts for a better world.
Commenting on their design, Team ROBOHOLICS said:
“Our fully autonomous beach cleaning robot represents a significant advancement in environmental technology. Its ability to operate both on land and underwater, combined with its eco-friendly power source and advanced AI capabilities, make it an ideal solution for maintaining the cleanliness of coastal areas. This innovative system not only enhances the experience for beachgoers but also plays a vital role in protecting marine life and preserving the natural beauty of our beaches.”
About the winning design
Team ROBOHOLICS’ fully autonomous beach cleaning robot is a versatile and eco-friendly solution designed to keep coastal areas pristine. This innovative machine excels in collecting garbage from both the sand and the surface of the water, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for beachgoers. Equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, it navigates seamlessly across varying terrains, adapting to different beach conditions with ease.
Validation from experts
The student entries were judged by an expert panel including representatives from Autodesk and KnowledgePoint. The judges were impressed by the calibre of the student submissions.
Commenting on Team ROBOHOLICS’ entry, the expert jury said:
“We selected this project as the first-place winner due to its exceptional 3D modelling, which is both detailed and highly successful. The design realistically accomplishes the given tasks and clearly explains how the device operates.”
Organised by KnowledgePoint, Designing a Green Tomorrow is part Autodesk’s commitment to education. The second Designathon saw students develop vital digital skills, and compete in the global challenge.