A Smart Trash Can? Now Why Didn't Someone Think Of That Earlier?
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
We have smart phones, smart cars and even smart glasses, so it would only be logical that the next big idea would be . . . . A smart trash can? At least that's what Minoru Kurata, an engineer at a Japanese auto company is hoping to bring to a store near you, soon.
But before you get your hopes up too high, the device is not smart enough to clean up your room, after you leave for school. What in can do however, is make you seem like basketball superstar. That's because every time a piece of trash is flung anywhere close by, it moves in that direction and ensures that it lands inside, and not around the periphery, as is usually the case.
To achieve this magical feat, a motion-sensing Kinect camera placed strategically around the area first detects the position of the trash. It then sends this information to a computer, which rapidly calculates the location and transmits it to the can via a wireless connection.
This activates the trash can, which is equipped with a motor controller and wheels all snugly fitted on the underside. In order to ensure that the can does not topple over as it tries to catch the badly aimed trash, Minoru designed it so that it has the lowest possible center of gravity - Which means that it is narrow, compact and sits low on the ground.
While getting a trash can that requires such an elaborate set-up may not be a priority on your list, Minoru who was awarded an Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival held in Tokyo from February 13-24th, says that he has received many inquires about licensing his product for commercial use.
However, the young engineer is holding out for two reasons - He first needs to secure a patent for the elaborate technology and more importantly, get the can's success rate of detecting the falling article a tad higher than the current 10-20%!
Resources: techland.time.com, digiinfo.tv
Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
595 Comments
- #Logic over 10 yearsWhy cant you just get up and throw away your trash in stead of being lazy and have ing a trash can that comes to you? i mean simple logic guys.. just get up and throw away your trash its self sorry but seriously a automatic trash can! it seems unrealistic to me.
- BTR and Ariannaover 10 yearsi want one but i would hide it when my friends are over or when my sister needs it,(my sister talking)hey..... menie:(
- mandygar12345over 10 yearswho's a good trash can? you are! you are!
- montanawover 10 yearsi need one so my mom wont be mad at me if theres trash in my floor because i miss the trash can
- Noah boahalmost 11 yearsMe likey me want thingy-ma-bob
- greekgeekalmost 11 yearswow
- tagsteralmost 11 yearslol im going to pre order it.
- jennaalmost 11 yearsthis would be awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- jennaalmost 11 yearsi love this idea and it's good that he's fixing the errors even though it would probaly be really ecspensive.
- Joelalmost 11 yearsI think the smart trashcan would be a lot of help in my house.