We Built an Auto-aiming Trash Can

Summary

In a quest to solve the trash problem at their messy studio, the team develops 20 innovative running trash bins. These bins, equipped with motors, wheels, and cameras, autonomously identify and catch trash midair. After fine-tuning, the bins become highly effective, with three specialized versions, including a fun rock-paper-scissors one and a punishment bin that launches soft darts at litterers. The trash-emptying process is also automated with a mega bin that swaps trash bags via a clever mechanism, guided by LED lights and cameras. This quirky solution revolutionizes trash management in the studio.

Takeaways

• 😀 The studio had a persistent issue with trash piling up on tables and floors.
• 😀 Initially, the solution was to increase the number of trash bins, but that didn't solve the problem.
• 😀 A creative solution was developed: running trash bins equipped with motors and wheels to move quickly.
• 😀 A camera was added to the trash bin and trained with a model to identify common types of trash midair.
• 😀 The trash bin was programmed to intercept flying trash using its camera and movement system.
• 😀 Engineers fine-tuned the system until the bin successfully caught its first piece of trash.
• 😀 Three specialized trash bins were created, each with unique features such as a 'rock-paper-scissors' game and trash-talking capabilities.
• 😀 The ultimate trash bin, called the 'punishment bin,' was equipped with a dart launcher to fire warning shots at litterers.
• 😀 The trash bins were designed to empty themselves automatically by connecting to a mega trash bin.
• 😀 A bag swapping mechanism was implemented, where small bins would automatically swap full bags with the mega bin.
• 😀 LED strips and downward-facing cameras were used to guide the small bins to the mega trash bin when the lights went off, ensuring they could find the correct location.

Q & A

What problem did the creators face before developing the running trash bins?

The creators faced the issue of having garbage constantly on tables and floors in their studio, even after adding more trash bins.

How did the creators initially attempt to solve the problem of overflowing trash bins?

Initially, they thought the problem was simply a lack of enough trash cans, so they bought more bins.

What innovative feature was added to the trash bins to address the problem of trash disposal?

They added motors and wheels to the bins to allow them to move quickly and catch trash midair automatically.

How does the trash bin detect and capture trash midair?

The trash bin is equipped with a camera and a trained model to identify common types of trash. When it detects a trained object flying through the air, it sprints to intercept it.

What special feature do the three types of trash bins have?

The three types of trash bins include one that plays rock-paper-scissors with users, one with a lid that interacts with people, and the ultimate punishment bin equipped with a dart launcher for warning shots.

What is the function of the 'punishment bin'?

The punishment bin is equipped with a soft dart launcher that can fire a warning shot at people who litter.

How does the system handle emptying the trash bins automatically?

A 'mega bin' was created to automatically swap the trash bags. The small bins approach the big bin, which extends a clamp to seal and cut the full bag and drop it into the mega bin, while a fresh bag is pulled into place.

How do the small bins find the mega trash bin for automatic emptying?

Each small bin has cameras and LED strips that guide it toward the mega bin by following a programmed light trail, leading them to the right location.

What happens when the lights go off in the studio?

When the lights go off, the LED strips under the floor and the cameras on the bins guide the bins toward the mega trash bin using a programmed light trail.

What role do the cameras play in the trash bin system?

The cameras on each trash bin help track the light trail and guide the bins toward the mega trash bin for bag swapping and emptying.