Today’s society is filled with modern technology that is rapidly advancing every day. Many new innovations are being utilized to provide solutions for the marine debris dilemma that is currently threatening the ocean and coastlines around the world.
Marine debris is a huge problem in coastal environments all around the world. Many microplastic particles and other pieces of waste can be found along shorelines, with some even buried in the sand. The BeBot, a robot designed to help clean beaches, is working wonders as it assists with cleaning beaches without harming delicate coastal organisms. While it sifts sand and removes trash, it gently does so in a way that does not damage animals living in the sand as it reaches a depth of four inches into the sand.
This fully electric beach cleaning robot is also perfect for the environment as it does not emit carbon into the atmosphere which helps ease the ongoing climate crisis. It also is solar powered and battery operated, making it a perfect addition for an eco-conscious approach to a beach cleanup. It can even clean up to 32,000 square feet in just one hour!
A growing number of organizations are using robotic technology such as the BeBot to assist with beach cleanups. Keep New Hanover Beautiful, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing waste on the shorelines of New Hanover County in North Carolina, was one of the first organizations to implement the BeBot into their beach-cleaning regime. Although it needs a permit in order to be operated, costs close to six figures to own one, and weighs over 1,000 pounds, this new technological innovation is something this nonprofit wants to continue using because every piece of trash collected makes a difference.
One nonprofit organization in particular that plans to follow suit in an effort to combat this marine debris issue with the use of the BeBot is Seaside Sustainability. Based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, this US-based nonprofit aims to advocate, educate, and deliver tangible solutions to advance environmental stewardship. Much of their focus is on marine research and beach cleanups along the Gloucester coastlines. Through their Blue Technology initiative, Seaside Sustainability hopes to implement the BeBot into their coastal cleanups in the near future. Executive Director Eric Magers loves the idea of intertwining ocean conservation with modern technology and thinks the robot would be a great addition to his organization. “Integrating innovative technologies like the BeBot into coastal cleanup efforts represents a major step forward in how we address marine debris,” said Magers. He added, “At Seaside Sustainability, we believe the future of ocean conservation lies at the intersection of science, technology, and community action—where solutions not only remove waste, but do so in a way that protects ecosystems and advances long-term environmental stewardship.”
The BeBot is one of the best advances in the era of blue technology. It is environmentally friendly, easy to use, and versatile as it can be used in other places as it is not limited to just the beach. Golf courses, sports fields, and parks are just some examples of the many other places where it can be used. This robotic beach cleaner is already helping so many coastal communities and marine science organizations advance in research as it is playing an important role in collecting trash from the coastlines.
An article by Nicole Castilla, photos by Unsplash