A Smart Trash Can? Now Why Didn't Someone Think Of That Earlier?
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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
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595 Comments
- roos213_10about 11 yearsI don't think its necessary because if you have a friend over they will think that you are lazy . I wold invent a smart cor that wold drive you where ever you wont to go
- mandygar12345over 10 yearsbut a car that drives it self is just as lazy as a trashcan that moves itself to your trash
- sam321about 11 yearscool but i don't need that
- baconlover123about 11 yearsI feel lazy a lot so sometimes I just throw it on the ground because I don't want to get up. I NEED ONE OF THOSE!!!!!!!
- mandygar12345over 10 yearsyou are awesome
- fearlessabout 11 yearsthat is so amazing. I could use that for my room. I am always doodling and when I mess up I crumble the paper and throw it on the ground. I NEED one of those. :)
- ktpocadot34about 11 yearswow did any one not think of that
- Nameabout 11 yearsepic
- IDKabout 11 yearsNICE
- IDKabout 11 yearsCOOL IDEA
- littleninja123about 11 yearscool, i want that!
- roos213_9about 11 yearsI would make a smart robot that does what ever you want it to do.