SmartBIN

Industry:
Lifestyle, Environment
Unlocking Smart Recycling in 500 milliseconds
4

recycling categories

100%

feature readiness

500

milliseconds to unlock a bin

10+

estimated kg of waste per week

What is {Project Name}?

The Smart Bin project involves developing smart recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass, and batteries, which can be opened via a mobile application. Each bin has a unique QR code that the user scans to unlock only that specific bin. The project aims to promote responsible waste disposal and improve the recycling process through digital access control.

Develop your idea

Challenges and Solutions

Implementing the MQTT Protocol

Connecting the mobile app to the smart bin was done via the MQTT protocol, enabling direct communication with the bin’s software controller. This was challenging because there is no traditional server; the app has to connect directly to the device.

The MQTT protocol enabled direct, low-latency communication between the app and the bin controller. Message topics and subscriptions were organized hierarchically, and messages were optimized in size and structure to ensure fast and reliable performance on resource-constrained embedded devices.

Developing Without a Controller

The development was done without access to a physical controller, as the bin had not yet been produced, making testing and simulating real-world behavior difficult. We had to create virtual environments and simulations to develop and test the features.

A simulation environment was built to replicate the bin controller’s behavior, allowing thorough testing and debugging before the hardware was available. Both normal operations and edge cases, such as network drops or simultaneous command requests, were simulated to ensure the app would function reliably once connected to the physical bins.

Managing Separate Access for Each Bin

Each of the four bins needed to be opened individually via QR code or the app, requiring precise authentication and security management. The system had to prevent multiple bins from being opened at once while keeping the user experience simple and intuitive.

Each bin was assigned a unique QR code and identifier, integrated into the app’s authentication system. The system validates access individually, preventing users from opening multiple bins simultaneously, while providing immediate feedback to ensure a smooth and secure user experience.

What Partner Said About Our Work

"Aetherius successfully completed the app, meeting our expectations. Moreover, the team communicated effectively and frequently via email and messaging apps, ensuring a smooth collaboration. Overall, their promptness and ability to deliver on time were hallmarks of their work."

Marija Milošević
Owner of SmartBIN

Project Features List

Feature 1
Feature 1
Feature 1
Feature 1
Feature 1

Tech Stack

Kotlin Multiplatform
Compose Multiplatform
SwiftUI
MQTT Protocol

Tell us about your project

You’re one step away from getting the right developers.

"Working with Aleksa and his team at Aetherius has been a great pleasure! He is very understanding, especially for people like me who aren't tech savvy, makes time to work on issues that come up, and is always willing to work hard to find a solution."

Erkin Jumayev
Erkin Jumayev
Co-Founder of Mindguard

"I worked with Aetherius team on an early-stage project. They were great at taking direction and executing a functional prototype of our concepts. Would love to work with his team again."

Dmitry Zolotaryov
Dmitry Zolotaryov
Ex Engineering Manager at Kin Social

"Aetherius developers immediately identified why my app was experiencing bugs that had been a problem for over a year! After that, the number of downloads increased, and users told me it felt like they were using a completely new app. I especially appreciate their detailed reporting on the process. Their team is reliable and truly cares about the success of my app!"

Hristina Lazarević Milosević
Hristina Lazarević Milosević
Founder and CEO, Avoid Additives

"What stood out most about Aetherius was their exceptional adaptability and dynamic problem-solving approach."

Yogesh Veeraraj
Yogesh Veeraraj
CTO, Wheretogo

"Aetherius' work achieved the correct functionality, satisfying the client's expectations, and planning to collaborate on a larger project in the future."

Mike Ralph
Mike Ralph
Managing Director, Band of Coders

“We had a specific industry problem and wanted to help people solve it with a unique app. Our first plan was to test the MVP version in a couple of smaller cities in Serbia, but we didn't expect to encounter such positive reactions from users so quickly. Aetherius Solution’s team developed the first version in just 1 month with 0 bugs and issues!”

Katarina Ristić
Katarina Ristić
Founder & COO, Znam Majstora

"We have had a great experience with Aetherius Solutions. Their skilled developers provided us with clear and detailed information, ensuring effective communication throughout the project. I would highly recommend them for any project you might have."

Srdjan Miladinovic
Srdjan Miladinovic
Sales Operations Manager, Ingsoftware

"Aetherius Solutions helped the client improve revenue and customer ratings. The team always provided content on time and took the initiative to solve things really quickly. ”

Felix Wolf
Felix Wolf
Senior Consultant & Program Manager, Merkle DACH

"Aetherius successfully completed the app, meeting our expectations. Moreover, the team communicated effectively and frequently via email and messaging apps, ensuring a smooth collaboration. Overall, their promptness and ability to deliver on time were hallmarks of their work."

Marija Milošević
Marija Milošević
Owner of SmartBIN

"Aetherius Solutions team reassured us with their experience and knowledge that there are still companies that respect agreements. We successfully executed our plans, and the team followed our desires throughout, consistently working on the Salona application."

Djordje Dimitrijević
Djordje Dimitrijević
Founder & CEO, Salona

"Their team was very easy to work with, and they genuinely cared about the success of our project. They managed the project efficiently, kept us updated regularly, and always responded quickly to changes or feedback."

Nemanja Dimic
Nemanja Dimic
Founder & CEO, BIT Events
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SmartBIN

Unlocking Smart Recycling in 500 milliseconds

Industry
Lifestyle, Environment
Services
Kotlin Multiplatform, Compose Multiplatform, IoT Integration, UX/UI

The Smart Bin project involves developing smart recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass, and batteries, which can be opened via a mobile application. Each bin has a unique QR code that the user scans to unlock only that specific bin. The project aims to promote responsible waste disposal and improve the recycling process through digital access control.

Develop your idea

SmartBIN

Challenge

Pain Point

Our Solution

Implementing the MQTT Protocol

Connecting the mobile app to the smart bin was done via the MQTT protocol, enabling direct communication with the bin’s software controller. This was challenging because there is no traditional server; the app has to connect directly to the device.

The MQTT protocol enabled direct, low-latency communication between the app and the bin controller. Message topics and subscriptions were organized hierarchically, and messages were optimized in size and structure to ensure fast and reliable performance on resource-constrained embedded devices.

Developing Without a Controller

The development was done without access to a physical controller, as the bin had not yet been produced, making testing and simulating real-world behavior difficult. We had to create virtual environments and simulations to develop and test the features.

A simulation environment was built to replicate the bin controller’s behavior, allowing thorough testing and debugging before the hardware was available. Both normal operations and edge cases, such as network drops or simultaneous command requests, were simulated to ensure the app would function reliably once connected to the physical bins.

Managing Separate Access for Each Bin

Each of the four bins needed to be opened individually via QR code or the app, requiring precise authentication and security management. The system had to prevent multiple bins from being opened at once while keeping the user experience simple and intuitive.

Each bin was assigned a unique QR code and identifier, integrated into the app’s authentication system. The system validates access individually, preventing users from opening multiple bins simultaneously, while providing immediate feedback to ensure a smooth and secure user experience.

Results

4
recycling categories
100%
feature readiness
500
milliseconds to unlock a bin
10+
estimated kg of waste per week
Clutch logo

"Aetherius successfully completed the app, meeting our expectations. Moreover, the team communicated effectively and frequently via email and messaging apps, ensuring a smooth collaboration. Overall, their promptness and ability to deliver on time were hallmarks of their work."

SmartBIN
Marija Milošević
Owner of SmartBIN
Clutch logo
SmartBIN
Marija Milošević
Owner of SmartBIN
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