SauberBot
Clean smarter, not harder
Developed a functional prototype for an autonomous outdoor cleaning robot as part of an entrepreneurial pitch and was awarded first place - winning a cash reward and a sponsored visit to Germany
Description
This project was prepared for a competition aimed to showcase both entrepreneurial and technical skills where teams were asked to propose and develop impactful solutions that use LiDAR technology. The competition was evaluated based on the idea, market analysis, use of technical abilities and the presentation of the work.
It was hosted by SICK, inc, a leading automation hardware company based out of Germany, who shortlisted 20 teams from leading universities in the US based on submitted proposals. On getting selected, each team was provided with an industrial grade SICK lidar to use and develop on the idea over several months and creative freedom to adapt and make the idea grow.
​
We developed the SauberBOT, an autonomous, modular and customizable outdoor cleaning platform which was targeted to combat litter that accumulates in large areas such as parks, concert venues, and stadiums.
​
We were awarded the first place for our work and presentation which comprised of a cash price and a visit to the company headquarters in Waldkirch, Germany
​
​
About
​
Here is a small video description of our project and research posted by the organizers after our submission won the competition! The video explains the scope of the project and the work done as well as demonstrations of the robot. Do watch it!
​
​
We had several distinct spheres to our project:
​
1. The Market Research to see in which direction should our project evolve:
Any prototype for a product must be preceded by an understanding on the intended market and pivoting if required to suit their needs. This demanded something quite different from just technical acumen as we scrounged to get connected to large cleaning industries and municipalities. We sent out cold emails, reached out through university contacts, phone calls and networking. Our hard work paid off and we were able to get in touch with several organizations. The most noteworthy of them being Aramark, based out of Philadelphia, where we were invited to the headquarters and got to speak with experts in the domain
​
2. The prototyping and material acquisition :
Making a prototype - especially for a project outside a course/university involved getting funding from different sources and being resourceful. We reached out and submitted proposals and requests to many university based grants and also spoke to our university and GRASP for access to resources. We had some custom parts manufactured for cheaper abroad, and also spoke to a Lab which was looking to purchase a UGV and offered to do the negotiate a purchase for them if they allowed us to use this for a few months for the project. We needed to be judicious with what we got, and have back up plans in the event we did not find the resources we wished for.
​
3. Developing the tech stack:
This was where our robotics skills came into play. We had to leverage the skills and strengths of each of the team members to work efficiently and develop a working prototype in the short timespan available. We also had to juggle with several complex projects as part of our academics that each of us had undertaken. This had us hone our skills, and manage time and work together over several iterations to come up with the winning product.
​
​
This essence of the project was not to delve into perfecting any single of the above spheres but develop the skills to view them all in the larger context and work as a team to present a cohesive picture of an idea and product.
Press
​
​
The Team
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|