Approximately 30% of items placed in recycling bins are not recyclable. Due to this, large quantities of recyclable material are wasted each year. This is a huge problem that has foreseeable consequences in the long run. However, we can avoid and overcome this issue by better organizing the materials that are dropped in recycling bins. As such, the purpose of this project was to create an automated process for organizing materials in a recycling facility. In doing this, we plan to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the pre-existing recycling process whilst contributing to the conservation of the environment.
Our team created a program that is able to identify, pick up, transfer and deposit containers into the correct recycling bins using a Q-arm and Q-bot. The first function picks up a container from the turntable, and the Q-arm transports it to the hopper. A set of conditions is outlined for adding the second and third containers to the hopper. If the mass exceeded 90 grams, the container belongs in a different bin, or if there are already three containers on the hopper, the container is not added. Once the set of conditions has been checked, the Q-bot begins to use the line following sensors and follow the yellow line around the track. Simultaneously, the Q-bot uses a colour sensor to detect bins in front of it. When it reaches the desired bin, the ultrasonic sensor detects the distance and brings the Q-bot within 5 cm of the bin. The linear actuator is then activated, and containers are deposited into the bin. Once the containers have been recycled, the Q-bot continues following the yellow while checking its location. Once it reaches a certain range, it stops and moves closer to the Q-arm, thus returning to the home position. After this, the loop repeats until the user stops the program.
