Revolution in the sea: Robots save our oceans from garbage!

Revolution in the sea: Robots save our oceans from garbage!

In recent years, the problem of marine plastic pollution has increased dramatically. It is currently estimated that there are between 26 and 66 million tons of trash in the oceans, with over 90 percent of this trash lying on the seabed. The current method of collecting underwater waste with divers has proven to be costly and time-consuming. But now European researchers are announcing an innovative approach to combat this problem autonomously and efficiently.

The Project SeaClear has developed a new system for autonomous waste disposal in the oceans. It combines different technologies to ensure effective waste collection. This includes an unmanned service boat equipped with a dinghy, a drone and a small underwater search robot. The project is led by a team led by Technical University of Munich (TUM), where Dr. Stefan Sosnowski emphasizes that waste disposal is particularly profitable at water depths of 16 meters or more.

Innovative technology for waste disposal

The heart of the technology is a 50 cm long search robot that efficiently scans the seabed. The associated diving robot system is sent to located garbage sites to pick up the objects. The diving robot develops a 3D representation using a camera and sonar to identify garbage, which is particularly helpful in murky water. Over 7,000 images have already been labeled to train neural networks and increase the identification rate.

In addition, the robot has a strong and sensitive gripper that works with a pressure force of up to 4,000 Newtons and can lift objects weighing up to 250 kg. A special feature is the wired connection, which provides both power and optimizes data transmission. The robot weighs 120 kg and is surrounded by a special buoyancy foam that enables precise movements in the water.

A network of robots

The SeaClear project uses several networked components, including the base ship SeaCAT and two remotely operated underwater vehicles that support exploration and waste collection. During the test phases, the system has already achieved an 80 percent success rate in detecting and classifying garbage in clear and murky waters. In addition, the robots can lift up to 7 kg of garbage and work in water depths of up to 10 meters.

Another advantage of the system is the expected cost savings of 70% compared to the traditional diver method. The entire project is funded under Horizon 2020 and aims to combat the growing mountains of waste that pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems.

The follow-up project SeaClear 2.0 has already begun and aims to collect heavier objects such as tires and washing machines. The integration of new technologies and methods is intended to further increase the efficiency of waste collection while actively involving communities in problem solving.

Given the enormous challenges posed by marine pollution, the SeaClear system offers a promising model to clean the oceans and sustainably protect our marine resources. The efficiency and technology inherent in this development could revolutionize the way we approach maritime waste management.