Let's Meet Oscar: An AI-enabled trashcan

These days, artificial intelligence is tech’s newest in thing, and it only makes sense that manufacturers are putting it on ever single gadget they could think of. From smartphones to robots, AI has become the name of the game.
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But who would’ve thought that AI could actually come to trash cans?

Well, believe it! A company called Autonomous Inc. has just launched a Kickstarter campaign for the “world’s first AI trash can.” This is Oscar, an unconventional rubbish bin that can segregate your recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

How does it work? Well first of all, this is a trash can you need not touch to open (cue collective laughter from everyone the world over).

Simply put your trash in and using AI cameras, Oscar will determine if it’s recyclable…

… or non-recyclable. Oscar then throws your trash in the corresponding bin.

When this trash can gets confused (as AI is sometimes prone to doing), you can tell it what to do. “Teaching” it things also means all other Oscars will learn it since this information goes to its AI network.

If you think about it, it’s a little absurd that this is a camera-equipped, AI-enabled, Wi-Fi-powered trash can, but I assure you, there are weirder things in this world. At least this one honestly tries to make the world a better place. Oh, and if it’s not any good, it’s also made out of a biodegradable cardboard skin so even in the worst-case scenario, it won’t contribute to the pollution problem it aims to solve.