A centralized hub system for improving automatic waste transport and collection using a self-driving robot, which allows for self-driving and efficient collection of waste in densely populated areas, such as apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods, and areas with a floating population by using robots with built-in artificial intelligence software and hardware and self-driving waste collection and driving functions and an integrated management server for monitoring these robots, and which helps to put information together in this process and use it as base data for the efficient operation of future waste policies and the corresponding systems. The centralized hub system for improving automatic waste transport and collection using a self-driving robot comprises self-driving inlet robots, an integrated management server, and a self-driving vehicle robot.

A computer-controlled rubbish container includes a power bank, a control circuit, and a wheel assembly coupled to a bottom portion of a rubbish container. The wheel assembly includes an electric motor coupled to a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates upon a wireless signal sent from a computer to the control circuit. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly is configured to engage and disengage from a ground surface such that the rubbish container is capable of manual pushing.

A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

A weight-measurement system for inclusion or use with a waste container includes scale devices in communication with a remote computer via a communications module. In some embodiments, the scale devices are mounted to a wheeled base frame that is integral with and supports the waste container. In other embodiments, the scale devices are mounted to a stationary base frame upon which a conventional waste container is retrofittingly positioned and supported during use. The scale devices can be provided by load cells, for example load-pin load cells used as axles for wheels of the integral base frame or as axles for rollers of the retrofit stationary base frame. The remote computer can be programmed to receive weight data from the scale devices, via the communications module, determine the actual weight of the waste contained in the waste container, and provide pre-defined weight-based notifications.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a container collecting apparatus is provided. The container collecting apparatus includes: a container input unit for at least temporarily accommodating a container inserted; and a collection unit provided below the container input unit to collect the container transferred from the container input unit, wherein the container input unit includes: a holding unit on which the container is seated; an opening penetratively formed at one side of the holding unit to transfer the container to the collection unit; and a transfer unit provided with a transfer plate for transferring the container put on the holding unit to the opening by moving from the opposite side of the holding unit toward the opening.

The present disclosure relates to a waste management system comprising a first waste bin having a first camera operatively configured to a controller. Images of waste captured by the first camera are analyzed by the controller to ensure that the waste is a plastic waste. Further, a categorization mechanism executing at the controller classifies the plastic waste in at least one of a plastic category using a machine learning mechanism. The system comprises a motor for shredding the plastic waste and a sieve for collecting the shredded plastic waste. Containers attached at an end of the sieve receive and store the shredded plastic waste. The system comprises a second waste bin having a second camera for capturing images of the general/wet waste and categorizing the images to alert user about potential food waste. Categorized wet waste is collected in the second bin.

Waste chute devices and methods for using the same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for operating waste chutes comprises: receiving, using a hardware processor of a waste chute device, an identity associated with a user of the waste chute device; in response to receiving the identity associated with the user, allowing, using the hardware processor, a door of the waste chute device to be opened; determining, using the hardware processor, a number of items and at least one type associated with the items that have been placed in an opening of the waste chute device; determining, using the hardware processor, that the door of the waste chute device has been closed; updating, using the hardware processor, information associated with the user based on the number of items and the at least one type of items that have been placed in the opening of the waste chute device; and providing, using the hardware processor, the user with the updated information.

A waste storage device and an intelligent management system are provided. The waste storage device includes: a casing, a control module disposed in the casing, a microphone module disposed on an outer surface of the casing, and a moving module electrically connected to the control module. The microphone module is electrically connected to the control module. When the microphone module receives a first audio signal, the microphone module transmits the first audio signal to the control module, the control module analyzes an audio sending direction of the first audio signal, and the control module provides a driving signal to the moving module according to the first audio signal to drive the waste storage device to move in the audio sending direction.

Embodiments of the present invention are related to an autonomously propelled waste receptacle including a top, a collapsible lid, a housing, an exterior, an interior, and a bottom. The housing includes a circuit board panel, a door, and doorway. The exterior includes a user interface, a plurality of sensors, at least one antenna, and a camera. The interior includes a bin, a trash compactor with a plurality of threaded rods connected to the collapsible lid, an upper can platform, and a bottom tech platform. The bottom includes a plurality of wheels used to drive the autonomously propelled waste receptacle. The collapsible lid also acts as a descending masher compacting trash within the interior bin and the bin is structured to rotate through the doorway to empty. The autonomously propelled waste receptacle may navigate using at least one of sensors, camera, WiFi communication, cellular communication, and GPS communication.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an organic matter processing apparatus and method for the use thereof to convert organic matter into a ground and desiccated product. The organic matter processing apparatus includes a lid assembly that is positioned at the top or head of the processing apparatus and an air treatment system. The lid assembly is operative to open to allow a user to deposit organic matter into the processing apparatus or to remove a removable bucket contained therein. The lid assembly is operative to close and provide an odor containing seal that prevents or substantially mitigates escape of odor. The air treatment system uniformly distributes untreated air through an air treatment chamber to convert the untreated air to treated air, which is exhausted out of the processing apparatus.