Co-founded by Rumaan Khan, Anki Cam is a pioneering project aimed at reducing food waste at Harvard University dining halls. Using advanced AI image detection technology, Anki Cam scans tray returns to calculate the amount of food waste generated.

The camera system is designed to be robust, housed in a durable shell inspired by the ankylosaurus—a dinosaur known for its armor-like exterior. This protective casing allows Anki Cam to withstand the rigorous cleaning processes typical in tray return systems, ensuring longevity and resilience.

We have successfully developed and tested prototypes in controlled environments. The next phase involves testing on-campus at Annenberg Hall, with plans to scale up across multiple dining halls at Harvard.

RecAIcle, co-founded by Rumaan Khan, is an innovative platform designed to revolutionize waste disposal. By using cutting-edge AI image recognition software, RecAIcle identifies various types of waste and directs users on how to properly dispose of each item.

The system is incredibly easy to use. Simply snap a picture of the item in question, and RecAIcle will instantly tell you whether it should be recycled, composted, or disposed of at a specialized location (such as for batteries or hazardous materials).

The platform is set to grow. With plans to incorporate over 10,000 additional images within the model’s training, RecAIcle’s AI will become even more accurate and efficient, helping to reduce pollution and improper waste disposal.