EEE department showcases innovation in smart waste management robot research published in the International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology

The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) at Vidya Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Thrissur, has added another academic achievement to its credit with the publication of a research paper titled “Waste Collector and Disposing WALL-E Robot” in the International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), Volume 12, Issue 8, pages 5012–5014.

The paper was authored by Arjun Krishna K V (S8,EEE Dept), Anjay Krishnan (S8,EEE Dept), Rohan P. R (S8,EEE Dept), Sahal Abdul Shukkur (S8,EEE Dept) under the guidance of  Dr Latha Dinesh (Prof, EEE Dept) and Mr. Arun Xavier (Asst Prof – Sr Grade,EEE  Dept). The publication carries the Unique Paper ID 190814.

The research addresses the growing challenges of urban waste management through the development of an autonomous waste-collecting robot inspired by the popular WALL-E concept. The proposed system integrates Raspberry Pi and Arduino platforms, combining artificial intelligence-based vision with embedded control systems. The Raspberry Pi is employed for waste detection using a lightweight deep-learning model, while the Arduino handles navigation, sensor inputs, and actuator control.

The robot utilizes ultrasonic sensors for obstacle avoidance, a servo-operated claw mechanism for waste collection, and a load-cell-based monitoring system that automatically disposes of collected waste when the storage bin reaches capacity. Experimental testing demonstrated a waste detection accuracy of more than 85 percent and an operational runtime of approximately one hour per battery charge, highlighting the feasibility of the system for smart waste management applications.

The publication reflects the department’s continued commitment to innovative research in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, embedded systems, and sustainable technologies. The work also showcases the collaborative efforts of faculty members and students in developing practical engineering solutions to address real-world environmental challenges.