“Trash Robot”: A Multiplayer Game to Collect River Debris

“Trash Robot”: A Multiplayer Game to Collect River Debris

Urban Rivers has now designed a “game” that lets you collect trash/control a trash cleaning robot from home! The robot is controlled by a web browser so anyone with an internet connection can access it and contribute to the cleaning.

The project involves a trash-collecting robot called the “Trash Robot” controlled by the “players”, and aims to make a waste collection game and will invite everyone to take turns controlling the machine earning points as they collect the garbage. The trash-collecting robot has onboard cameras so the players can see where it is going. It works the same as a remote-controlled vehicle.

Initially, the project is aimed to collect $5000 in funding and uses the money to plan to use it for the prototype development in version 2 (V.2). In V.2 the funding will be used to build a base station for unloading garbage, increased Wi-Fi range, GPS tracking and more robust design.

The idea for the robot came from a previous crowdfunding initiative the Urban Rivers team ran, to build a floating garden to help keep the river clean. Unfortunately, once the garden was planted and thriving, the team found litter

was making its way in and disturbing wildlife. After trying to collect the rubbish themselves, the team brainstormed ideas and came up with the Trash Robot.

“When we installed our floating garden last year, we had a problem with trash accumulation,” Nick Wesley, one of the brains behind the project, told Digital Trends. “Initially we just threw manpower at the issue, but the comings and goings of the torrent of garbage was unpredictable. People would get suited up to clean the trash, and by the time they arrived it would have moved to a different part of the river. We realized the best solution would be to have something there 24/7.”

“We really hope that someday this game is just so boring because there’s no more trash left to clean.”

The team acknowledges that not being able to deliver the project is a “huge risk”. It has also raised concerns about possible vandalism and theft, though the intention is to tether the machine, and use its GPS to limit its movement. Urban Rivers also says it will take precautions against malicious online attacks.