Smart Can Crusher

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/4821403%5D

[Mangonha] has put together this interesting project involving aluminium can recycling (translated, sortof). They’re using an arduino to tally up how much aluminium they have accumulated. That information is then passed on and displayed on a google map. There are families that go around collecting the cans as a means of income, and this system could be very helpful to them. They state that their goal is to eventually have restaraunts and more families included. We’re a bit curious about how helpful this really is. How is that information actually changing the actions of the collectors? Would a simple flag on your door or window signalling enough cans to pick up or not be just as effective?

[via the Make flickr pool]

15 thoughts on “Smart Can Crusher

  1. The obvious advantage over a flag on the door is a visual representation of all pickup locations. This way, you wouldn’t waste a drive across town just to check for flagged doors.

  2. Whatever happened to putting the just-emptied can on the ground and stomping it?

    We even play a little game here at the fire station: The one who’s can’s top and bottom are the most off-center pays the next round :)

  3. This is dumb. At least make it automated. The title made me think it would be. This really hasn’t much to do with cans, but rather just a scale that uploads automatically to the internet.

    As for their goal… pft.

  4. ok let me get this straight. we have an arduino that counts button-presses hooked up to a computer that updates an xml file (probably – no, didn’t rtfa). show me what’s special… that’s almost as cool as hooking one’s bathroom scale to their twitter account. yeah exactly – moving on…

  5. @daley,
    Any of our projects could be reduced to utter simplicity. “you mean you’re just passing electrons through resistors, capacitors and diodes? pffft, give me a break”. It’s the result thats notable.

    Though, to be fair, I do question the necessity of this.

  6. great until some 13yo kid thinks its funny to mash the button 50X

    surely an actual weight sensor would be more applicable, it could then be multi purposed to other similar projects but post a different signal.

  7. Dear Sir/Madam
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