Abstract
The purpose of this report is to discuss the development of the Smart Bin prototype, its specifications, achievements and results, and future considerations that will continue to improve the prototype. The goal of our project was to design a smart composter that would address three measurable quantities and provide a user-friendly LCD screen that would accurately monitor and clearly display the quantities. The quantities are temperature, moisture, and bin capacity level. The compost bin would also be able to send this data over Wi-Fi to an MQTT test server and on a LCD screen attached to the bin where the data would be displayed for the owner/user of the compost bin. Details of the specifications are provided below and a full description of the Python Code is seen at Appendix A. The report further outlines specific challenges that needed to be overcome throughout the development process. Coding on the Raspberry Pi, troubleshooting the code, adapting the size of the bin enclosure, and the inability to add some of the additional features that would have enhanced the bin's capabilities were challenges that were addressed throughout the process. Delays in choosing the project topic, waiting for the arrival of parts, and significant coding issues put the project behind schedule, and forced the team to rush to put all the final components in place.