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Clearbot, an AI-driven autonomous boat, is transforming how waterways are cleaned with energy-efficient technology. Originally started by two University of Hong Kong graduates, the company has grown into a solution that utilizes NVIDIA Jetson technology to autonomously collect waste from waterways. Clearbot’s energy-efficient boats are providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional waste collection methods, targeting plastic and other pollutants before they reach the oceans.
Key Highlights
- Autonomous boat technology: Uses AI for navigation and waste identification.
- NVIDIA Jetson Xavier powers the boat, enabling eight hours of autonomous operation.
- Emissions-free cleanup: Boats are electric-powered and dock at solar charging stations.
- Increased efficiency: A crew of 50 can operate around 150 boats, improving waste collection.
- Collaboration with Kingspan: Removing 1.2 tons of waste monthly from Indian rivers and lakes.
- Data-driven pollution mitigation: Geotagged data helps trace pollution sources for corrective action.
Cleaning Waters With Energy-Efficient Jetson Xavier
Clearbot, headquartered in Hong Kong and India, employs 24 people developing and deploying water-cleaning, electric-powered boats that can self-dock at solar charging stations. The boats are entirely emissions-free, addressing water pollution without adding air pollution in the process. Each boat is equipped with two cameras — one for navigation and another to identify waste collected.
The energy-efficient NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX allows the boats to operate autonomously for up to eight hours before needing to recharge. By integrating AI, Clearbot increases waste collection efficiency, enabling fewer crew members to operate more boats compared to traditional methods. According to co-founder Sidhant Gupta, a crew of 50 can manage around 150 Clearbot boats — significantly boosting waste collection capacity.
Customers Harnessing Clearbot for Environmental Benefits
Several organizations are utilizing Clearbot’s technology for environmental cleanups. Kingspan, a building materials manufacturer, is working with Clearbot to remove trash and oil from rivers and lakes in Nongstoin, India. This partnership has led to the removal of 1.2 tons of waste each month.
Additionally, Clearbot has partnered with local authorities in the Umiam Lake region of Meghalaya, India, collaborating with the University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business. Since the start of the project three months ago, the company has collected 15 tons of waste from the lake, helping restore this popular fishing and tourist destination.
Mitigating Environmental Impacts With Clearbot Data
Clearbot’s services now extend beyond trash collection, addressing broader environmental issues such as marine pollution control for sewage, oil, gas spills, and conducting undersea inspections for dredging projects. The boats also gather important environmental data that can be used to mitigate pollution effectively.
The geotagged images collected by Clearbot provide valuable insights into the sources of pollution. For example, data regarding plastic bottle waste can assist local agencies in tracing the origin of pollutants, enabling targeted mitigation efforts. As Sidhant Gupta explains, this data is crucial for municipalities, NGOs, and governments to justify measures like banning plastic bags or closing polluting facilities.
Clearbot’s AI-powered boats are revolutionizing waterway cleaning, offering an eco-friendly, efficient, and data-driven solution to tackle water pollution at its source.
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