A 16-year-old from Canada, Evan Budz, has developed an innovative robot turtle equipped with artificial intelligence aimed at locating microplastics in water. This impressive project earned him a scholarship worth $50,000 at the prestigious international science fair, Regeneron ISEF. The concept for the robot was sparked by Budz's encounter with a snapping turtle during a camping experience. The autonomous robot navigates a predetermined path while adjusting its diving depth as needed. It utilizes a holographic camera to capture the light patterns created by particles in the water. The accompanying software then constructs a three-dimensional image of each particle, enabling the identification of microplastics. In trials, the system achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 94%. This groundbreaking technology allows for the detection of microplastics directly in water samples, eliminating the need to send samples to laboratories. This advancement could significantly expedite the process of locating microplastics, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Would you like to see such robots deployed in your local waters?
Informational material. 18+.
