One Dutch startup is proposing an incredibly unique solution to major cities' litter problems, with the 'Crow Bar' -- a concept in which crows would be trained to pick up and dispose of cigarette butts around a city.
This idea was inspired by the 'Crow Box,' a unique device which essentially serves as a vending machine for birds, providing peanuts when crows insert coins. The intelligence of this species makes crows the perfect candidate for this project, as the birds' are ranked one of the most clever in the world. Through the crow bar, the birds would be rewarded with food each time cigarette butts are placed in the vessel.
The only necessary human interaction occurs when the vessel needs to be emptied. Photo Credits: designboom, thenextweb
Bird-Based City Cleaning Initiatives
The 'Crow Bar' Teaches Crows to Clean Up Cigarette Butts
Trend Themes
1. Crow-based Waste Management - Training crows to pick up litter presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in waste management.
2. Intelligent Animal Partnerships - Exploring collaborations with intelligent animals like crows can lead to transformative solutions in various industries.
3. Incentivized Behavior Modification - Designing reward systems for animals to encourage desired behaviors has potential applications in behavioral sciences.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - The concept of using crows for city cleaning initiatives could revolutionize waste management practices.
2. Animal Behavior Research - The study of intelligent animal behavior, such as crows, can provide insights and advancements in various research fields.
3. Environmental Conservation - Engaging crows in environmental clean-up efforts can help enhance conservation strategies and initiatives.