Contents:

Introduction. How it works. Three levels of intelligent control. Video. My ideas. Conclusion.

DustCart

Introduction:
DustCart is a shiny robotic trash can has been created by a group of Italian researchers since 2006. Developed as part of the DustBot project, a $3.9 million research program that is trying to improve urban hygiene. The DustCart robot collects trash from citizens doors.

How it works:
The DustCart robot collects trash from citizens doors. In a demonstration by the scientists, a quick call summoned the DustCart to the door, where it asked for the personal ID number that identifies the user and tracks the garbage.

 The robot also asked to classify the trash as organic, recyclable or waste. It then opened its belly bin, collected the trash and zoomed out. It's only a trial product, and cannot yet navigate crowded streets (it can avoid fixed obstacles).

Three levels of intelligent control:

First there are the autonomous, built-in systems including motion sensing, obstacle avoidance and user-interface functions including speech recognition. It also uses 'intelligent' data processing to help it navigate it through the streets. Finally, a human control center monitors operations but only in an emergency situations.

A resident in the Italian town of Peccioli gets to grips with DustCart during the trial.

The robot is able to guide itself around narrow streets.

Disadvantages:

Lack of services few collections per days per week, family should keep garbage at home for many days. During collection days garbage remains outside the door in the street producing problems related to hygiene.

Video

My ideas:
It is very useful at any garbage area in Brunei or at Pasar Gadong. It should have hands. Instead of using the personel ID, why not just using the sensor of someone throwing rubbish or by inserting coins. It should be supervised by someone at the control center.

Conclusions:
Today, we find most robots working for people in industries, factories, warehouses and laboratories, and one of the example is the DustCart Robot. DustCart robot can do jobs better and faster than human can. Finally, as the technology improves, there will be new ways to use robots which will bring new hopes and new potentials.

References:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article1291142/DustCart-The-bin-wheels-robot-picksrubbish-call.html http://www.icar2011.org/files/Mazzolai_ICAR2011WS%20Urban%20Robotics.pdf

http://www.igreenspot.com/electric-dustcart-robotby-dustbot/

References:
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-FictionNews.asp?NewsNum=2394 http://www.ubergizmo.com/2009/07/dustcart-robottrash-collector/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/robottrash-collector/