Eddy Chen
Voice Interaction | Research
Team w/ Emiri Nishizawa, Roshni Srikanth, Sahithi Yakkali, Xiao Xiao
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An Imperfection of Widespread Method
The most widespread method to inform users about how to sort trash are posters above the cans. However, these diagrams often are confusing and only include unhelpful, specific examples.From our research, we found there are various factors contribute to the inefficient recycling in America is the system’s late development, which lowers profit, creates different requirements based on jurisdictions, increases contamination, and adds to the inconvenience of public trash facilities.
Garbage bins with poster
The Approach
With the crucial contributor to this imperfect method to recycle resources, our project focuses on overcoming the lack of knowledge surrounding where to dispose of items properly.Our team first started with getting to know our users by analyzing our 40 responses and did a summary and brainstorming how can we solve their needs.
The overall size of the device is similar to iPads and other common tablets in terms of size and shape. We eliminate the touchscreen and replace it with item scanning feature using AI and mechine learning, for the sake of connivence and cleanliness.
Design Decisions
Scanner Function
We investigated a few precursor that brought AI into sorting trashes and realized its large size made it infeasible in daily life and potential for dangerous operations. Our product has similar functionality but is much smaller in size, being easier and safer for the general public. We also consolidated the idea of implementing scanner involves sensors and cameras that could identify the trash based on its material and chemical component.
Interaction Experience
We investigated a few precursor that brought AI into sorting trashes and realized its large size made it infeasible in daily life and potential for dangerous operations. Our product has similar functionality but is much smaller in size, being easier and safer for the general public. We also consolidated the idea of implementing scanner involves sensors and cameras that could identify the trash based on its material and chemical component.
Lighting up when the users walk up to the device within distance of 3 ft. Asking for confirmation based on feedback received. Learning about common types of objects at current location from sorting results. A beep sound letting people who can't see know the switching of screens.
Colored and bolded screen display will clearly indicate where the user should place the trash.Comfirmation sound rings once the trash is sorted.A "Thank You" message will be shown at the end showing the total number of items disposed using the device.Adding motivation and encouragement to people.
Source of Power
For inside use, our device can plug into any available outlets.For outside use, a solar power rechargeable battery is available to make our device environmentally friendly. We would attach the solar panel on top of the device, connects to the battery inside of the device. Since the solar charging battery would be fully charged during the day, it lasts at least 6-8 hours without any light. The target location for our device is in Seattle, so an alternate battery power source is included in case the solar panels fail to produce enough energy.
We also put together a vedio walk through of how using Ren:
Next Steps
Languages
Our current target audience is English-speaking users. Ren is built on the assumption that users know and can have short conversations in English. Non-English speaking members or very young children may struggle to use Ren. Further advancements of Ren could work to implement other language interaction and people that are illiterate and hard to involve in short communication.
Anti-Graffiti, Anti-Thief, and Damages...
To address concerns of damage or theft to Ren, the stand is bolted to the ground. Along with this, a sensor alerts if someone tries to detach the tablet part of the device. Also, the device could have a cover over the top along with the solar panel to protect the device from precipitation and other debris. Still, people might get liquid or food on it while trying to scan their trash. While our device has screen protectors, we suggest occasional cleaning by staff. This issue should be addressed in future advancements made to the device.
Edge cases and Non-Disposable Items
Our product’s primary purpose is to handle trash items that are commonly thrown away. In creating this solution, we assume people will only carry trash items that belong in the Landfill, Recycling, or Compost. However, the trash items that users carry won’t always fall under this category, and our device cannot tell where to put batteries and other e-waste items. This issue could be addressed in the future by providing links to resources about where to throw these specific items.
Final Thoughts
In this project, we had the opportunity to try new things that building a real product with recent technology instead of just web and mobile application. We need to consider other factors like maintaining, price, cleaning, along with regular UX research and design like screen size, accessibility, interactions, colors...During the research and testing phases, I learned many things like seeking feedbacks from users and sustainable resource professionals because we definitely improved our product based on the open-ended questions from them. Always drew insight from the research and user feedback and never assuming things. And one last thing, how to promote user to use the product from human and phycology perspective.
