Picky – A Judgemental Trashcan Robot

Created during a month-long robotics module, Picky is a judgemental trashcan robot designed by Juwon Jung, Nefeli Vitoraki, and Xiangnan Wu. With a side-eye for recycling mistakes and raised eyebrows for correct actions, Picky provides a novel form of interaction that combines humor with education. By turning recycling into an engaging experience, Picky helps raise awareness about the confusion surrounding what can and can’t be recycled, making the process more memorable and encouraging responsible recycling habits.

The robot was created with 4 servo motors and 3d printed structures. The machine learning algorithm, trained through Wekinator, connects to Processing using the oscP5 and VSync library. This setup enables the communication of real-time signals from Wekinator to the Arduino, which controls the robot’s movements. The webcam above the robot captures the trash and sends the data through Processing.

Project Page | Juwon Jung | Nefeli Vitoraki | Xiangnan Wu

This project was realised in the Cyber Physical Systems module in Imperial College London, guided by Becky Stewart. Credits: Juwon Jung (machine learning, video), Nefeli Vitoraki (product design, making) and Xiangnan Wu (mechanical structures, arduino).