Automatic Street Light
Street lights that switch on at dusk and off at dawn using light sensing, with an optional motion-based dimming stage.
- Suitable for
- School
- Technology
- Arduino Uno
Beginner3–5 days
Arduino · Automation
Smart Dustbin
A bin that opens its lid automatically on approach and signals when it is nearly full.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Typical time
- 4–5 days
- Suitable for
- School
Price
Contact for price
Cost depends on components, complexity and which deliverables you need, so we quote after understanding your requirement.
Technologies
- Arduino Nano
- HC-SR04 ultrasonic ranging
- Servo actuation
Project overview
An ultrasonic sensor on the front of the bin measures the distance to whatever is in front of it. When something stays within range for longer than a brief debounce period, a servo lifts the lid and holds it open, closing again after a fixed delay.
A second ultrasonic sensor mounted inside the lid measures the distance down to the top of the rubbish, which gives a fill level. Below a set clearance the indicator changes to full — the feature that turns a novelty into something with an actual argument behind it about collection scheduling.
The debounce is worth understanding before your viva: without it the lid flaps every time someone walks past. It is a small piece of logic that demonstrates you thought about how the thing behaves in a corridor rather than on a bench.
Features
- Touch-free lid opening on approach
- Adjustable detection distance and hold-open time
- Fill-level detection with a full indicator
- Debounce logic so passers-by do not trigger the lid
- Runs from a battery pack for portable demonstration
How it works
- 1The front sensor pulses continuously and measures echo return time to find the distance to any object.
- 2An object held inside the trigger distance for the debounce period starts the open sequence.
- 3The servo rotates the lid open and holds it for the configured delay.
- 4The internal sensor measures clearance from the lid down to the rubbish surface.
- 5When clearance falls below the full threshold, the indicator changes state.
Components used
- Arduino Nano
- Two HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors
- MG996R servo motor
- Bin body with hinged lid
- Indicator LEDs
- Battery pack with regulator
Questions about this project
How close do you have to be for the lid to open?
The trigger distance is adjustable in the sketch and is normally set between 20 and 40 cm. We set it during handover and show you how to change it.
Can it send the full status to a phone?
That is the IoT version, built on an ESP32 instead of a Nano. Ask on WhatsApp if you need the connected variant.
Similar work
Similar projects
Related builds that use the same technologies or suit the same students.
Smart City Model
A city layout combining automatic street lighting, traffic signalling, smart parking and water management.
- Suitable for
- School
- Technology
- Arduino Mega
Intermediate7–10 days
IoT Home Automation
Appliance control from a phone over Wi-Fi, with physical switches that keep working and live status feedback.
- Suitable for
- Diploma
- Technology
- ESP32
Intermediate6–8 days
Need the Smart Dustbin in Surat?
Send your class or course and your submission date and we'll confirm what's achievable, what it includes and what it costs — before you commit.