Bin Mate is a multi-MCU (ESP32, RPi Pico, more soon) bin reminder tool. Initially for Ballarat in Victoria AU but hopefully rolling out to more cities soon. It is an open source software/hardware project connecting to local council APIs to remind you which bins to put out on which days.
The project can be as simple as buying an RPi Pico + a click-on e-Paper hat (see "/RPi Pico"), up to a fully-custom PCB you can self-solder or buy as a kit (Soon™).
- DIY Pico version works and is "finished" (but will get updates as I think of things)
- DIY ESP32 version has been prototyped and is being worked on now (mid 2024)
- ESP32 Kit version will come Soon™
This is the easiest way to get started with this project, using just:
- RPi Pico W (WiFi model)
- Waveshare Pico e-Paper 2.13in Hat.
- 3D printed case (Base and Top)
- Install MicroPython onto the RPi Pico using Thonny (or your tool of choice)
- Create a file called "secrets.py" in the project folder and put the following code into it (with your address):
ADDRESS = "123 Sturt Street Ballarat Central"
SSID = "WiFiSSID"
PASS = "Password!"
- Copy the project folder onto the Pico.
- 3D print the included case, or bonus brownie points if you design/make your own
- Plug it into any USB plug for power (or if you're RPi-savvy, wire up some batteries) .. and you're up!
The first WiFi connection can take 10-20 seconds (then it caches your details), and the e-Paper display can take a few seconds to update, so be patient. e-Paper is incredibly technology but it's not fast.
If you do create this project, please share it with me either via Mastadon (https://hackerspace.au/@sen) or post it in an Issue here.
The project now uses PBM files for the graphics. You can do direct-replacement of the included graphics by creating 3 BMP images that are 60px wide and 200 high (they're displayed sideways). Put the BMP files in the same folder as my BMP-to-PBM script and run the script as per the instructions (or use an online converter). Copy those outputted PBM files onto the RPi Pico in the /gfx folder, using the same names as the files already in there. If they look inverted, use the invert-pbm.py script to flip the black/white bits.
For a version of the project that can run off batteries for many months, we're developing both DIY and custom-PCB versions using an ESP32 and utilising all the deepsleep/low-power trickery, along with larger multi-colour e-Paper displays.
You will be able to order them pre-built, or solder together yourself. Both the DIY and custom-PCB versions have been prototyped and are in progress, and will be published when there's something functional to share.