Orange Sparkle Ball was awarded a Real World Deployment Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. This grant is enabling us to put our Autonomous Robotic Pickup Platform into action through a series of pilots in the Transportation Innovation Zone of Detroit, established by the Office of Mobility Innovation at The City of Detroit.
Penny Pickup (Intermode robot pictured)
Orange Sparkle Ball was awarded a Real World Deployment Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. This grant is enabling us to put our Autonomous Robotic Pickup Platform into action through a series of pilots in the Transportation Innovation Zone of Detroit, established by the Office of Mobility Innovation at The City of Detroit.
As of Friday, November 22nd, Orange Sparkle Ball has launched their fourth and final Michigan-funded pilot created to explore the use of autonomous robots for multi-material pickup. In this pilot, we are collecting (1) plastic bags for recycling, a material not currently accepted through curbside city recycling services, (2) small electronics for refurbishment, and (3) commercial food waste for processing into bioplastics.
PARTNERS
Intermode
Detroit-based robotic startup Intermode will pick up and transport materials for processing by respective materials partners. Intermode offers a hassle-free mobility platform that revolutionizes the way businesses utilize robotics.
Ecosphere Organics
Detroit-based Ecosphere Organics will process commercial food waste collected into bioplastics for reuse. Ecosphere Organics is an alternative materials company transforming food and other organic waste into raw materials for different industries.
Recycle Here!
Detroit-based Recycle Here! will process and recycle plastic grocery bags collected. Plastic bags are not collected through the City of Detroit’s curbside recycling program but can be dropped off at the Recycle Here! facility.
Human-I-T
Human-I-T will process, refurbish, and/or recycle small electronics collected. From e-waste to equity, Human-I-T transforms discarded devices into digital opportunities for all.
PILOT PARTICIPATION
What: We will be collecting plastic bags, small electronics, and commercial (restaurant) food waste for responsible end-of-life processing.
Where: These pilots will service the Corktown area within the Transportation Innovation Zone. We are working to recruit participants in partnership with the North Corktown Neighborhood Association as well as the Hubbard-Richard and Corktown Neighborhood Assocations.
When: Over November and December, we will be conducting multi-material robotic pickup, including plastic bags, small electronics, and food waste. Time slots available November 22nd through December 20th.
If you are located in the Transportation Innovation Zone and are interested in participating, please go to https://www.pennypickup.com/ to sign up.
For questions, please contact Hannah Ranieri at hannah@orangesparkleball.com.
Written by Hannah Ranieri, Innovation Strategist
