Students develop a prototype waste sorting system
Four days, 834 innovators from 30 countries, and one shared goal: to rethink sustainability through technology. The Smart Green Island Makeathon in Gran Canaria once again brought together international students and young talent in 2026 to develop functional prototypes for a sustainable future. As a sponsor and tech partner, Beckhoff supported 23 students in the waste sorting challenge. Using PC-based control, they were able to turn the idea into a working prototype in just four days.
The Smart Green Island Makeathon
The Smart Green Island Makeathon is a four-day innovation and educational event in Gran Canaria where international students and young talent work in teams to develop sustainable high-tech solutions, resulting in functional prototypes on topics such as renewable energies, the circular economy, smart city, robotics, IoT, and AI. Companies present real-world challenges, which the teams tackle using creative technical approaches and then present their results. The event combines practical learning, teamwork, and networking with a focus on a sustainable, smart future.
Open systems as the key to success
Two teams used PC-based control for their projects. The TrashBeck team built a fully functional waste sorting system in which the students combined Beckhoff control technology with linear axes from igus and machine vision from MVTec.
The Smart Green Rubbish team demonstrated where technology is heading; the group used Gemini AI to precisely classify the waste and guide it down a chute into the correct containers using precisely controlled motors.
Working together for a smarter future
The Makeathon proved that smart, scalable solutions for tomorrow's economic and ecological challenges can be developed in no time when smart, creative minds meet Beckhoff’s high-end technology!
