The process started off with a simple design of a remote controlled open faced box with a trashcan in it. The first prototype was just that, but a small version of what was thought to be the final product. The idea was quickly changed when the box would have been too big and would have been too difficult to be connected to the trash can. The next idea became a robot that could drop off and pick up the trash can. The possibilities were that it could be attached to a hook, moved with some kind of forklift, magnets on the inside of the can that would connect to something on the outside, on a something that could clamp onto the trash can handle.
Arduinos came into the picture when a servo was needed to move a hook to attach onto the trashcan handle to pull it around. Later, deciding that a servo wasn't reliable enough, it was replaced with a stepper motor.
A lot of different pieces were needed to put together the entire robot. The wheels were put together by connecting a motor to the bottom board. The wheel and the motor were connected by a laser cut hub (a board cut in the shape of a circle). There is a long wooden "pole" that has the stepper motor and the hook attached at the top so it can grab onto the trash can. The Arduino and remote control receiver were glued onto the bottom board so it could reach the stepper motor up top.