In September 2024, Orange Sparkle Ball launched a pilot testing the autonomous robotic pickup of plastic bags for recycling in partnership with Intermode and Refraction AI, with support from the North Corktown Neighborhood Association. The collected plastic bags were processed by the Recycle Here! facility. This pilot was successfully completed in October 2024.

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.

Orange Sparkle Ball has officially received a 2nd Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ) Permit for piloting the autonomous robotic pickup of household materials for end-of-life processing in the Corktown region of Detroit in partnership with Intermode with support from the North Corktown Neighborhood Association.

Orange Sparkle Ball is thrilled to announce the expansion of our innovative robotic pickup platform, designed to revolutionize waste management and recycling in the Detroit community. We will be partnering with Intermode and Refraction AI to explore the use of autonomous robots for the pickup of household materials and proper end-of-life processing. Over the next month, we will be launching new material offerings for pickup, including plastic bags, small electronics, and food waste.

Orange Sparkle Ball received a Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ) Permit for piloting the autonomous robotic pickup of food waste for composting in the Corktown area of Detroit in partnership with Ottonomy and Scrap Soils with support from Brother Nature Farm and the North Corktown Neighborhood Association. This pilot has successfully concluded, and results have been compiled into a case study and pilot video.

Introducing Penny Pickup by Orange Sparkle Ball - a platform where autonomous and micromobility solutions can be hailed specifically for various material and waste product types and redistributed to the most viable, sustainable destination to ensure their proper reuse, recycling, refurbishment, and redistribution.

As part of Orange Sparkle Ball’s programming during the Detroit Month of Design festival, we’ll be hosting a panel discussion highlighting the importance of city government and community partnerships in successful technology piloting.

Orange Sparkle Ball is excited to announce our acceptance as an exhibitor at the 2024 Detroit Month of Design, and to the first ever Detroit Month of Design Mobility track! Our demo on September 7th will showcase the Autonomous Robotic Pickup Platform we are currently piloting in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit.

Orange Sparkle Ball is excited to announce our participation in the upcoming Design Core Detroit event, Drinks x Design at the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard! Drinks x Design offers an opportunity for creative businesses throughout the city to open their doors and share their work with the public. This upcoming Drinks x Design session will feature Detroit-based organizations and individuals moving the needle in the Equitable Mobility space.

This blog features frequently asked questions Orange Sparkle Ball has been asked about our Autonomous Robotic Pickup Platform being launched in Detroit, Michigan. 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.

Orange Sparkle Ball has officially received a Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ) Permit for piloting the autonomous robotic pickup of food waste for composting in the Corktown region of Detroit in partnership with Ottonomy and Scrap Soils with support from Brother Nature Farm. 

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.

Join OSB’s Ashley Touchton and Hannah Ranieri with Idea Overflow Podcast hosts Dan Perotti and Patrick Payne to hear about OSB’s founding, the story behind the name, their individual career journeys, to forming a relationship with DroneUp, speaking at SXSW 24, and receiving permitting and funding to pilot an autonomous drone pick-up pilot in Detroit, Michigan.

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.

Orange Sparkle Ball has officially received a Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ) Permit for piloting the autonomous robotic pickup of food waste for composting in the Corktown region of Detroit in partnership with Ottonomy and Scrap Soils with support from Brother Nature Farm.