Robotic AI-assisted system combatting polluted waters

An international team involving the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Fraunhofer CML among others has been working on the Sea Clear project since 2020. The first model was presented in 2022 and has since undergone further development and expansion. "SeaClear2.0 uses state-of-the-art technologies to combat plastic waste in the waters," said Lennart Kinau, Head of Strategy and Communication at HPA."Even though we do not face the same waste recovery challenges as in the oceans, Sea Clear 2.0 gives us the chance to improve the efficiency of our port infrastructure and procedures, e.g.,  by addressing disturbances in the water or using sensor technology more effectively."

An estimated 25 million tonnes of plastic waste dot the oceans worldwide, according to the Sea Clear team while the Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel puts the figure at up to 100 million tonnes. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is also involved in the project. Stefan Sosnowski, Project Manager at TUM, said: "The great thing about SeaClear2.0 is that we can conduct cutting-edge research and benefit the environment at the same time" The latest test also included a workshop with authorities, research institutions, various  organisations and industry to come up with means of preventing waste.
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