Industrial Design.
BinBot.
An interactive trash can, that is placed in educational facilities to teach children how to recycle in a fun and intuitive manner.
Date: 2023
Client: Melitta GmbH & FH Joanneum
Background.
This project started as a cooperation with Swirl in 2018 and has since been re-designed.
The core idea, main interaction concept stayed the same and were validated with a fully functional prototype which I tested at a Elementary School in Vienna, Austria.
Moodboard.
This re-design was intended to have a more playful and friendly appearance, with details that also hint at the smart features of the device.
The primary shape is very soft and rounded while the secondary details are more pronounced with chamfered edges. All of this is supported by a smart color coding and the use of recycled materials.
Core Idea.
An interactive trash can, that is placed in educational facilities to teach children how to recycle in a fun and intuitive manner.
Elementary school classrooms would each receive one device and can use it to track their waste output, as well as compare that data to other classrooms.
Gamification.
Turning trash into an educational tool.
The rotating surface serves as an interactive element, the the user must coordinate with before being able to dispose their trash. This forces the user to first think about which compartment would be most suitable, while then also creating a challenge to correlate their hand-eye coordination with the simultaneously spinning object.
Technical Package.
A smart device with a smart construction.
BinBot uses a camera and Ai to detect which object was just thrown away and if it belonged in the right compartment. By using body panels that hook into eachother, the entire device can quickly be assembled and requires less screws or other tools. The lid of BinBot is attached to a hinge which allows for it to easily be lifted up and out of the way. The user then has easy access to all four bin compartments and can easily lift them out with the help of a ergonomically-shaped cutout.
UX.
The app serves as a valuable companion by effectively tracking usage patterns and providing personalized feedback.
Users can easily monitor their activities within the app, allowing them to gain insights into their habits and behaviors. Through advanced analytics, the app generates customized feedback tailored to each individual user, empowering them to make informed decisions and improve their overall experience. With its intuitive features, this app offers a seamless way to track usage and receive valuable insights to enhance productivity and well-being.
