Sometimes you instantly know who’s behind a project from the subject matter alone. So when we saw this “aerial dog poop removal system” show up in the tips line, we knew it had to be the work of [Caleb Olson].
If you’re unfamiliar with [Caleb]’s oeuvre, let us refresh your memory. [Caleb] has been on a bit of a dog poop journey, starting with a machine-learning system that analyzed security camera footage to detect when the adorable [Twinkie] dropped a deuce in the yard. Not content with just knowing when a poop event has occurred, he automated the task of locating the packages with a poop-pointing robot laser. Removal of the poop remained a manual task, one which [Caleb] was keen to outsource, hence the current work.
The video below, from a lightning talk at a conference, is pretty much all we have to go on, and the quality is a bit potato-esque. And while [Caleb]’s PoopCopter is clearly still a prototype, it’s easy to get the gist. Combining data from the previous poop-adjacent efforts, [Caleb] has built a quadcopter that can (or will, someday) be guided to the approximate location of the offending package, home in on it using a downward-looking camera, and autonomously whisk it away.
The retrieval mechanism is the high point for us; rather than a complicated, servo-laden “sky scoop” or something similar, the drone has a bell-shaped container on its belly with a series of geared leaves on the open end. The leaves are open when the drone descends onto the payload, and then close as the drone does a quick rotation around the yaw axis. And, as [Caleb] gleefully notes, the leaves can also open in midair with a high-torque yaw move in the opposite direction; the potential for neighborly hijinx is staggering.
All jokes and puns aside, this looks fantastic, and we can’t wait for more information and a better video. And lest you think [Caleb] only works on “Number Two” problems, never fear — he’s also put considerable work into automating his offspring and taking the awkwardness out of social interactions.
Sky dump!
Nice project. Interested in the machine learning aspect. How do you work with ‘fuzzy’ obstacles like tree branches, weeds, etc.?
Check out deeplabcut on GitHub. I’m largely using this for the prototype and it makes it easy to ignore noise and just target the objects I’ve trained it on, by giving it training data.
To scale it up, I’ll need much more data and potentially would pivot to something like yolo
This is solving problems. A+
way to fertilize a field!
Umm… unless the scoop is at the end of a very long rod, prop downwash will make an aerosol of that fecal matter.
Yeah, prop wash is definitely a problem to consider.. mid-air release as described at the end of the video as option around is a pathway around this – otherwise a box w/ a beacon for landing would be pretty easy where it could land, rotate clockwise, and release the payload, is an option as well.
But it depends entirely on the modality/end business model of The Poopcopter.
I’ve never understood the American culture of dogs pooping on own lawn.
Take them for a walk and let them do the business there. Collect the poop. Have a good long walk. Both you and your dog will enjoy for sure.
(this is how it’s done at least in Finland)
So You are promoting those that let their dogs to defecate on their(closer or more distant) neighbours lawn?
And how do You collect the poop without trace (no parasites and other pathogens left behind)?
What about piss(basically brine – reason for Rosa rugosa on my own lawn)?
Dog ownership should be closely related to land ownership(that is your pet can only shit /piss on your own land, with obvious exception – but only for absolutely necessary – working dogs).
What are the dogs doing at your lawn?
No, dogs shouldn’t go on others private property. Or let alone poop there.
I am wondering where the seeds originated, healthy dogs i have witnessed dont generally have embedded seeds. Dead grass, sure, but no beach flowers
Dogs quite often need to go multiple times a day and don’t just go on command. You can’t really just walk your dog once a day and expect it to be fine inside for the rest of the day without needing to go. You should be providing opportunities for you dog to go multiple times a day, like morning, afternoon ans evening and most people aren’t going to walk them multiple times a day, hence they let them out into their garden and let them go there. It really isn’t much of a problem if people clean up after their dogs.
Dog feces in public spaces are a health hazard. Keep it in your own yard please, and if you live in an apartment your animal is being mistreated. Dogs require space, to run and stay in shape. Many dogs are kept locked in homes and their hips fail bc they were unable to properly exercise. Not very nice way to treat a living being.
We do it both ways. Despite what @12L14 says. Usually, so many feet in from the road is public right-of-way anyway so not really a private property issue. It’s definitely considered bad manners if you don’t scoop the poop up. Most cities have ordinances about that too. Compliance…. sadly less than 100%. I don’t know how bad it really is but with that sort of thing it’s the ones who don’t pick up that you notice not the ones you do so if you think it’s bad then well… confirmation bias will agree.
I don’t know but I doubt that is much different where you are.
Not everywhere has sidewalks though.
We take our dog out for walks when we can. She about drove us nuts though, always wanting out at weird times. We installed a doggie door for her where she can let herself out to the fenced in back yard. I would prefer a poop-free back yard but this has definitely been the lesser evil.
“shit hitting the fan” is a literal failure mode of this project. Love it
Wow, and I thought the Butter Robot from Rick and Morty had it bad!
Tie this in with those doggy DNA companies (sponsorship ? ) and incorporate a “return to sender” function. ;)
I have a feeling that business would ..fly..
Into the sun!
💩 poop & multiple high speed fans. What could go wrong?
Our family dog does her #2 while walking. Wonder how all this is going to work for that.