AquaBotix: AI-Powered UV Detection and Filtration of Harbor Microplastics
CWSF · 2026 Environment & Climate Change
Overview
Every year, millions of tonnes of tiny plastic pieces called microplastics pollute harbours, lakes, and oceans, harming fish, birds, and the ecosystems people depend on. Harbours are especially vulnerable as they act as collection points for microplastic debris. Most cleanup methods cannot catch particles this small, and the ones that can are far too expensive for heavy use. This project introduces AquaBotix, a practical, AI-powered solution: a floating robot that uses ultraviolet light to make certain plastics glow, then uses a smart camera trained with artificial intelligence to spot them and filter them out of the water. Combining detection and cleanup into one affordable system makes removing microplastics faster, cheaper, and smarter than current methods. In doing so, it helps protect marine life, keeps harbours cleaner for the communities around them, and shows how smart technology can tackle one of the biggest pollution problems facing our planet today.
Awards (1)
- Selected for CWSF 2026
Competition history
- CWSF 2026
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