TrashBot robot for smarter waste management on airports

U.S.-based startup company CleanRobotics has launched TrashBot, an AI-robot that helps figure out if and how airport trash can be recycled. Pittsburgh International Airport is the first airport that has stationed a TrashBot robot machine in its Baggage Claim area to help improve recycling results.

TrashBot is basically a clever trash can. It is a roughly rectangular silver box with one opening and an LED screen mounted above. When someone throws something into the opening, it drops into a chamber full of sensors. TrashBot identifies the item, determines if it is recyclable or not, and moves it to an appropriate bin inside. When the bins get full, they notify cleaning crews via an app.

BlueSkyPit reports that the screen above TrashBot will flash messaging directly related to the item being tossed. An example: if someone throws away a water bottle that still contains some liquid, TrashBot will explain that the leftover water needs to be drained before the bottle is recyclable, which many people don’t know.