A collaboration between student societies saw scholars from Lancaster University in the UK join forces with their counterparts at the University’s campus in Leipzig, Germany.

Students from the School of Computing and Communications Student Computer Society travelled to Leipzig to collaborate with students from the Robotics Club at LU-Leipzig on a computing and robotics workshop, with a focus on sustainability.

Over three days, the students were presented with a task to design, develop and test a software-driven autonomous robotic arm prototype that can scan, automatically identify, and collect recyclable waste products.

The workshop took place to strengthen connections between the students from the UK-based Computing Society with students at LU-Leipzig, as well as to develop sustainable technologies across the two campuses.

Andre Mariucci, a second-year Computer Science said: “Over the last 10 or so months, we have been organising an initiative which would combine students from both our Lancaster campus, as well as the Leipzig campus. 10 months later and with support from the computing departments from both campuses, as well as the Global Engagement team, we made it!

“I am proud of each of our participants, who built a robot arm from scratch, using parts they 3D printed themselves and built a neural network to identify and sort items of trash placed before it into appropriate containers.

Over the three-day event, the team and I have done a lot more than just build a cool robot. We have: Turned strangers into colleagues, and colleagues into friends; Worked together on a project aimed towards the sustainability goals of the United Nations; Highlighted the strengths of our students to their future employers, and demonstrated the fact that we are indeed a global university.”

Dr Phil Benachour, from the School of Computing and Communications who was the academic link for the project, said: “It is fantastic to see the computing societies from the two campuses working together to attain a common objective, in this case, to meet some of the United Nations 17 goals of Sustainable Development.

“We are grateful to the Global Advancement Fund at Lancaster University for giving our students the opportunity to visit the Leipzig campus, and further develop their technical, professional and social skills: effective communication and building trust.”

The next step is to run the return event in September. We look forward to welcoming our students from LU-Leipzig to join us here in Lancaster.