Retro-Futuristic Robot Can Crusher: Part 1 – What

For my final project, I wanted to make a wall-mounted can crusher that fits a certain aesthetic. While exploring different aesthetics online, retro-futurism ultimately caught my eye.  Essentially, this is a futuristic vision from someone who lived in the 1950s and 60s.  Instead of simply being a bland crusher, I wanted to create a robot head that would double as a piece of wall art.

Inspiration and Research

The aesthetic inspiration came primarily from mid-20th-century science fiction, particularly the optimistic, atomic-age designs of films like Forbidden Planet (1956) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). The sleek domes, antennae, vented cheek panels, and polished aluminum finishes from this era influenced this aesthetic greatly, which evolved into a more modern style that I personally took more inspiration from. I drew more direct inspiration from the popular TV show The Jetsons, featuring Rosey the robot maid and many other futuristic visions. Modern robot aesthetics were intentionally avoided as I wanted to steer clear of minimalism and instead embraced the more riveted, mechanical boldness that defined the retro-future genre.

To ensure functionality, I researched various can crusher mechanisms. I ultimately purchased an electric crusher as the core mechanism, allowing me to focus more on designing the exterior form while relying on a prebuilt internal system for crushing.

Design Vision and Artistic Goals

I envisioned a boxy robot head that would be wall-mounted, with functional features integrated seamlessly into the facial geometry. The mouth would act as the output chute for crushed cans, while the eyes, antennae, and other facial features would give it more personality. Functionally, the robot had to accept standard aluminum cans and crush them reliably, outputting them through the mouth. I wanted this to be clean-looking, not breaking the facade of the robot and showing the mechanisms on the inside too much. With an electric mechanism to crush cans, weight can be an issue, and I wanted to reliably mount this system, ensuring functionality and ease of use.

Aesthetically, I aimed for a 1950s sci-fi feel with bolder shapes, bright metal parts, and unique geometry highlighted in this aesthetic. I wanted it to be decently symmetrical, though I opted for some asymmetry to add to the details, with a metallic finish to give the appearance that this device was built with functionality in mind rather than strict aesthetic, at least from the perspective of what someone from the 1950s and 60s would think someone from the future would build in a very serious way. With this, I wanted some personality in the face; I didn’t want it to be too bland, yet I didn’t want it to come off as cartoony, which proved to be a difficult problem to tackle.

Sketches and Concept Evolution

My initial sketches were a bit simple in form, but they captured my overall ideas for this project.

From these early sketches, I refined the brow-nose structure and started integrating elements like top antennae, which visually replace the slot in the top of the head, which I decided to simply leave open.

CAD Development and Prototyping

Once I had a solid vision, I moved into SolidWorks to begin modeling. The CAD model was built around the electric can crusher’s approximate dimensions to ensure that everything would fit properly. I started with a simple box shell, then added key details like eye panels, a nose ridge that creates a “brow” over the eyes, openings for the funnel and crushed can exit, and housings for antennae.

To verify my proportions and overall geometry, I printed a 15% scale prototype using PLA filament. The prototype wasn’t perfectly functional, but it provided important feedback. I could evaluate how the facial features looked in 3D, check clearances, and start to think about wiring routes. I also got more of an idea of my funnel system to see if it was functional enough to go ahead and create the final product.

Finalizing the Form

As I continued iterating, I cut the CAD into six interlocking parts to accommodate my 3D printer’s limited build volume. This allowed me to optimize print orientation and avoid support-heavy geometries. I also modified internal geometry to simplify assembly and save on filament costs.

After printing all pieces at full scale, I sanded and spray-painted them with an aluminum finish to match the classic retro-metal look. The final form includes a pronounced brow ridge over the eyes and doubles as a nose, with a stylized ear disk and antennae, a top antenna on the head that acts as a button for the can crushing mechanism, and a sliding mouth for functional/aesthetic purposes.

Material Choices and Fabrication

• Shell: PLA printed in 6 parts, bonded with superglue

• Finish: Aluminum-colored spray paint with matte clear coat

• Crushing Mechanism: Commercial electric can crusher

• Additional Materials: LED strip lighting (TBD), wiring channels, screws for mounting

Aesthetic Embodiment

The most important aspect of this project was ensuring the aesthetic wasn’t just decorative — it had to feel integrated. The crushed can exit through the “mouth,” the antennae give it personality, and the squared-off face feels mechanical and vintage. The whole thing has presence, even though it serves a simple purpose.

I’ve intentionally avoided making the robot look “alive” in a cartoon sense — instead, it has a stately, almost cold expression. The goal was to make something that felt functional and fit in its own era.

With the form complete,  I also plan to explore adding LED lighting inside the eyes or mouth to give it a glowing, slightly eerie vibe.

Overall, I’m happy with how closely the project aligns with my original vision. There’s still iteration ahead, but the aesthetic and functional core are firmly in place. Part 2 of this report will explore the build process, mechanical challenges, and how I got everything working.

Sources:

https://99designs.com/blog/design-history-movements/retrofuturism/

https://desenio.com/p/posters-prints/children-and-youth/vintage-robot-print/

https://pixels.com/featured/retro-robot-little-bunny-sunshine.html

https://comics.ha.com/itm/animation-art/production-cel/the-jetsons-rosie-the-robot-production-cel-hanna-barbera-c-1980s-/a/121729-13123.s