Language

English (en)

Publication Date

Fall 2025

Document Type

Final Report

Embargo Date

12-5-2025

Problem Statement

The AY25-26 ASME Student Design Competition (SDC) is inspired by the global issue of recycling and waste collection management. Garbage and recycling are, in many instances, collected at the curb or roadside, where residents and/or business establishments place their garbage and recyclables in designated containers for pickup by local waste management companies or municipalities. In some areas around the world, waste collection is a challenge to establish due to variations in terrains and storage locale/capacity. In some instances, waste management companies might utilize a single vehicle that separates materials during the collection process to minimize the number of required vehicles in operation at the same time. Waste collection vehicles are often dispatched early in the morning to avoid traffic delays common during typical work hours. Time is paramount to the safe management, transportation, and disposal of waste. An efficient route, speed capability, and a large containment reservoir helps limit the time it takes for a waste collection vehicle to complete the job. However, the larger the vehicle, the more difficult it can be to navigate the roads, especially in high-population and/or business districts. Additionally, a waste collection vehicle must be able to pass under bridges, signage, and other overhangs that limit the vehicle’s vertical height. Damage to property is to be avoided. The AY25-26 SDC challenge is to design, fabricate, and test a versatile waste collection device that can rapidly and accurately navigate a model city with various terrains, collect and sort garbage and recycling, and transport and dump the waste materials into the correct facility (recycling center or landfill). This device must operate in a safe and efficient manner that obeys traffic and safety laws and avoids property damage or waste spillage. Points will be awarded based on the proper sorting and handling of the waste materials, as well as the size and required power source of the device.

Author's School

McKelvey School of Engineering

Author's Department

Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Class Name

Mechanical Engineering Design Project (MEMS 411)

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