Other History

The CanBot Project (Finished!)

In 2022-2023, Lightning Robotics got huge support from the Ball and Novelis CanBot collaboration. From them, the team received a $5,000 grant in order to build a CanBot. The main requirement was that the robot must be able to crush soda cans. 

The team's CanBot is has the function to move around high traction wheels. Once aligned, the CanBot's pneumatic arm can capture a can within the bristles on the arm. The arm can retract and the can will be unlogged and pushed into the pneumatic crusher system. The can will be crushed before falling into a collection bin. Overall, the group is really happy with how the bot turned out. The only thing they want to do now is add a light that can point to where a can needs to be so the arm can easily pick up cans without the trouble of estimating the location. 

Now finished, the CanBot will also be used as a tool of inspiration for the community of Legacy and the surrounding area of Broomfield to be more eco friendly overall.