It is estimated that Australians generate 67 million tonnes of waste per year. Help tackle this environmental problem by joining the R2: Robo-re-Cycle. This team will develop solutions for a circular economy by building automated robots to tackle the world's growing e-waste crisis.

Research goal

The R2: Robo-re-Cycle team will conduct research to develop an automated disassembly solution for end-of-life products, which is flexible and modular to handle the uncertainties associated with model changes, condition of the EOL products as well as the projected volume growth. 

The outcome of this project will lead to a better separation of EOL components and materials. This will allow recycling of EOL products with a higher material recovery efficiency and a lower cost due to the significantly reduced labour cost; hence substantially reducing the environmental footprint associated with EOL products.

Video: Using Robots to Solve E-Waste | Gwendolyn Foo

ChallENG Area

Vertically Integrated Projects

Research Areas
  • Mechanical Design 
  • Robotics 
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical systems

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

  • Responsible Consumption and Production: SDG12  
  • Climate Action: SDG13

Credit

✔ 6 UoC per course 

Industry partners

Veolia

  • Sustainable Manufacturing and Life Cycle Engineering
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Team Academic Lead

Prof. Sami Kara

UNSW Vertically Integrated Projects Program Director

School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

02 9385 5757

s.kara@unsw.edu.au

Prof. Maurice Pagnucco

Deputy Dean Education

School of Computer Science and Engineering

morri@unsw.edu.au