Hackstreet Boys

Inspiration

One of our teammates has personally experienced foul smells emanating from rubbish chutes due to chokes in the waste disposal system. This inspired us to develop a solution to address the issue of unnoticed clogs in Singapore’s underground waste collection network. While education is essential to promote proper waste disposal habits, our research reveals that this issue has persisted in Singapore since 2012, despite continuous efforts by town councils to remind and educate residents.

What it does

Our solution leverages reliable sensors capable of detecting clogs within the waste disposal network and transmitting real-time data to facilitate quick and effective actions to clear blockages as soon as they occur.

How we built it

To bring our idea to life, we constructed a prototype using C++ programming, ESP32 electronics, and 3D-printing. We conducted thorough research to evaluate the benefits and limitations of existing technologies, identifying IR sensors as the most efficient and reliable option for the dark, vacuum environment of Singapore’s pneumatic waste conveyance system (PWCS).

We began by designing the electrical circuits and concurrently developing the code. The programming focused on enabling the sensors to detect and evaluate data, and on transmitting this data wirelessly via Bluetooth. The sensor casing was designed using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and 3D-printed using durable PLA material.

Challenges we ran into and accomplishments that we're proud of

One major challenge we faced was programming the Bluetooth transmission system to integrate the Internet of Things (IoT) into our smart waste management solution. With no prior experience in Bluetooth coding, our team encountered steep learning curves. However, through perseverance and a commitment to learning, we successfully developed a code that enables seamless wireless data transmission from the sensors to a receiver. This accomplishment stands as our proudest achievement.

What's next for Hackstreet Boys

Looking ahead, we aim to participate in the Baby Shark Fund at SUTD, which supports aspiring entrepreneurs like us. Our goal is to bring our solution to the real world and create a meaningful positive impact on society.

We plan to engage with town councils and residents to gain deeper insights into the problem and collaborate with industry partners and corporations to implement our solution effectively.

At its core, our vision is simple yet profound: to achieve cleaner, healthier living through smarter systems.

Built With

• 3dprinting
• arduino
• bluetooth
• c++
• cad
• electronics
• iot
• lasercutting
• soldering
• woodwork