They really dive into it! Smart robot team successfully collects trash from the ocean floor

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The Seaclear system, developed as part of a European research project, has successfully passed a series of tests in both clear and turbid waters.

The Seaclear system, which is designed to collect trash from the sea, consists of several interconnected components. The base ship acts as the central unit that deploys and controls two remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV). There is a small ROV for scanning and a larger one for collecting the trash. The waste is deposited in a special basket developed by Fraunhofer-CML. Additionally, a drone flying above the sea surface monitors and maps it, aiding in the identification of trash hotspots, as it further states. These three elements work together to create a map of the seabed, locate waste, and then collect and remove it efficiently. In its current state of development, the Seaclear system can lift up to 7 kilograms of weight. The gripper can hold the volume of two 2-liter drinking bottles, and the robots collect waste in waters with a depth of up to 10 meters. As the system is improved for commercial operation, it will operate at up to 70 percent lower costs than divers.

Artificial intelligence conquers maritime waste mountains

The research was funded as part of a Horizon 2020 project led by TU Delft in the Netherlands. At the end of the project, a fully functional system emerged that demonstrated its functionality. This, as it is said, groundbreaking innovation shows the potential autonomous robotics has to address the pressing issue of ocean pollution. After all, waste not only mars the beauty and pristine nature of marine landscapes but also destroys habitats, endangers and poisons marine life, and impairs entire underwater ecosystems. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that much of the trash ends up on the seafloor, where it is difficult to find and remove. Therefore, Seaclear has set itself the task of combating this underwater waste with autonomous robot technology. One of the key features of the Seaclear system is its adaptability to various conditions, including different water properties and types of waste. Unfortunately, trash is everywhere, but different types of waste occur in different places, the researchers note. For example, in the Port of Hamburg, one of Seaclear's test sites, there is heavier industrial waste, while in the tourist areas of Croatia, the problem is lighter and more diverse waste such as plastic bottles and bags. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to the functionality of Seaclear.