Last year, around July, I came across a TikTok video of Rory Sutherland, Vice-Chairman of that giant advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather Group.
I fell in love with listening to him talk about... anything, really. He’s brilliant, coupled with the British accent listening to him feels like the anticipation of an upcoming trip.
He talks a lot about psychological value.
In that first video that introduced us, he was talking about a psychological idea that became the "single best improvement in passenger satisfaction on the London Underground, per pound spent."
The introduction of the dot matrix display boards on the platforms.
According to Sutherland,
"The nature of a wait is not just dependent on its numerical quality, its duration, but on the level of uncertainty you experience during that wait. Waiting seven minutes for a train with a countdown clock is less frustrating and irritating than waiting four minutes, knuckle biting, going, "When’s this train going to damn well arrive?"
His whole thing is the importance of considering the psychological effects of design choices in technology platforms and potential for innovation in improving user experiences.
In September, during the Twitter #KampalaGarbageExhibition, I thought about Sutherland’s dot matrix story. I thought to myself that perhaps beautifying garbage disposal stations would improve proper disposal.
The idea was a public garbage bin(s) with lighting. It turns green when emptied and red when full.
I would single-handedly empty it just to see a change in colour. Green = sweet relief.
The name for these attractive disposal stations came to me in a dream (not really) “Kakebe.”
Kakebe: The Smart Lighting Trash Bin
Structure
A beautiful, big rectangular body made from (recycled) durable plastic or metal.
LED Lighting
A thin vertical or horizontal LED light strip that runs along the sides for clear visibility and changes colour based on waste level.
Weight sensor mechanism
A pressure-sensitive base detects the weight of the trash.
The sensor is connected to the LED system, triggering colour changes as waste levels increase.
Adjustable sensitivity to accommodate different trash densities.
Power Source
Long-lasting batteries (rechargeable or replaceable)
Optional solar-powered version for sustainable use.
Additional Features for Home Use:
- Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity sends notifications when the bin is full.
- Sensor-based lids for touchless operation.
To offset theft and vandalism, KCCA figures out a way just like malicious kids used to nail the Kakebe into the ground for the unlucky hero to kick their toe back into their foot.
Kakebe, kicking garbage off our streets.
(I put the description in Leonardo AI to generate some images)