Startup Creates Smart Garbage Can Device, Makes Shopping List of Thrown Away Items

By Vishal Goel, | January 05, 2017

Genican works based on barcode scanning and voice recognition. (YouTube)

Genican works based on barcode scanning and voice recognition. (YouTube)

A US-based startup has created a smart accessory called "GeniCan" that can be attached to a garbage can to add the products thrown away to a shopping list on a connected smartphone app. GeniCan operates on AA batteries and has been priced at $125.

GeniCan, which was launched at CES 2017 this week, attaches to most garbage cans and recycling bins and easily updates the grocery list. To detect the product thrown, it scans the barcode on the product's cover. In case the barcode is not available, the product can be added through voice recognition.

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Thanks to a partnership with Amazon's Dash Replenishment Service, GeniCan can also automatically order items like diapers, paper towels, and snacks, once thrown away or recycled. One needs to scan the item before throwing it away to quickly add it to a grocery list or hold the item in front of GeniCan for a couple of seconds to use voice recognition technology to instruct the device in case barcode is unavailable.

To avoid accidentally adding products, GeniCan is calibrated to add only those items that have been intentionally scanned or added via voice recognition. If an item is simply tossed into the garbage can, it will not be added to the list.

The accompanying GeniCan app stores the grocery list and can be shared across devices so that the entire family can view it anytime and anywhere. The list is also manually updatable within the app, which includes a bar code scanner and the same voice recognition technology as the device itself.

The device ships with four Duracell AA batteries that will last a year, Venture Beat reported. It is currently compatible with Apple and Android platforms with plans to include Windows phones. The device is available for preorder and will be available for demos at CES 2017.


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