Some time ago, Vassar deployed Big Belly solar-powered, network-connected, compacting trash cans. We recently walked across the campus to a play …
Once is happenstance:
Twice is coincidence:
Those neatly printed signs suggested a common-mode failure, so we took the long way back to visit my all-time favorite trash can installation. Yup, three times is enemy action:
You can still put trash in the containers through the obvious opening. Perhaps the networking failed?
The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning 
Comments
6 responses to “Solar-Powered Trash Can FAIL”
Iot and complex functionality is not necessarily a good thing. The old adage of KISS comes to mind.
It’s hard to keep creeping featurism at bay for many of us, but it’s good to keep in mind that every new feature is a potential failure point.
So many features: solar-powered / networked / compacting!
A trash bag inside an open can is surprisingly reliable, but, I suppose, those looked unsightly.
I like the fact that they had to put a “This is NOT a book drop” signs on it. I wonder how many books they found there before they put up the sign.
Given that they’re compacting trash cans, maybe an overload sensor tripped out…
[…] with the older version, I’d say it’s a great […]