The trash can. Its design hasn’t been improved upon in decades (with the exception of the basketball backboard add-on). In futuristic movies/series, we see robotic trash cans rushing around, picking up humanity’s garbage. Yet, there has been little progress to make this a reality…

Until now.

Modder FRP has created a “Smart TrashBox,” which utilizes Kinect to track your airborne trash and move accordingly. It is not known whether this was created for the “Frisk” commercial, or just inspired by it, but FRP has designed this can from the ground up, from the wheel base to the PCB. He even coded the program himself. In the highlight reel, the can catches several objects from crumpled paper, to plushies, to even beer cans. Granted, he admits the accuracy of the software is far from perfect, but I would love to see this progress to a full-fledged product. Laziness at its finest.

Click past the break to watch the Smart TrashBox in action, as well as more details about its design.

I’ve talked about some of the incredible Kinect hacks out there before. Hackers and tinkers sitting at home, messing around with the 3D camera’s code to create some incredible programs, effects, and games. Now, the Kinect’s non-intended uses are starting to find its way into Japanese marketing. As a bonus feature in a pop-up shop created to promote the upcoming 3D release of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society, technology firm Kayac created an interactive simulation of the series’ cyberspace using the Kinect sensor. Patrons can also interact with a Tachikoma while flying around. In GITS, the titlar character Motoko Kusanagi (aka “The Major”) repeatedly ‘dives’ through an iconic version of cyberspace in order to extract information to help solve crimes.

Now I don’t know about you, but after reading this, I can only say two words….DO WANT! I’m really hoping that this finds its way stateside eventually (maybe to promote the 3D re-release on BD, hint hint).

**UPDATE** We now have video footage of the simulator in action! Check it out after the break!

So ever since Kinect hit store shelves, it’s been hacked to become a MIDI controller, emulate Minority Report, and even help with surgery! But now, it’s time for it to revive a part of my childhood. Anyone remember R.O.B., Nintendo’s little robotic buddy for your NES? Well it’s time for an upgrade! Pierre Baillargeon hacked the Kinect to not only control a robot arm, but also show himself as a robot on screen, complete with a city background to destroy. (Ok, so this sounds like it’s less useful than R.O.B. was, but it’s still enjoyable.)

Kinectobot: How it works