TECH

Technology that can bring life back to waters choked with trash

Tires, bicycles, and even abandoned fishing nets form mountains of invisible trash underwater. Now, a European project is presenting a technological diver capable of removing up to 250 kilograms per operation without harming the ecosystem. Its first test, in Marseille, shows that it is still possible to turn the tide on the seas.

Marine pollution is one of the greatest scars left by humanity. Millions of tons of waste remain accumulated in ports and deep seas, harming both marine life and coastal communities. The good news is that an innovation created in Germany is beginning to show that there is an alternative to tackling the problem without resorting to human divers, whose safety and range are limited.

Developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the underwater robot works in conjunction with an autonomous mother ship, an auxiliary boat, and even an aerial drone. Together, they form a network capable of mapping areas, identifying objects, and planning waste extraction. In the port of Marseille, the system has proven effective in removing everything from tires to abandoned fishing nets, always respecting environmental balance.

The difference lies in artificial intelligence. The robot was trained with more than 7,000 underwater images, allowing it to accurately distinguish between trash, rock formations, and living organisms. It generates three-dimensional models and calculates the exact gripping point. Its four-finger robotic arm exerts up to 4,000 newtons of force, enough to lift 250 kilograms of waste without damaging fragile materials such as glass or plastic.

Weighing 120 kilograms, the robot receives power directly from the mother ship via a cable, ensuring stability and autonomy. Its buoyancy foam allows for delicate movements, avoiding stirring up sediment that would impair visibility in murky waters. According to Dr. Stefan Sosnowski, the system is particularly advantageous at depths above 16 meters, where human presence would be costly and risky. The project, dubbed SEACLEAR, aims to permanently deploy these technological teams in ports and coastal areas across Europe. While they don't replace the urgent need to reduce waste at its source, these robots offer a valuable tool for correcting some of the damage already done. In a world where marine litter threatens to turn the oceans into landfills, this innovation isn't just science: it's a hopeful sign that there's still time to act.

mundophone