SEACLEAR has created an autonomous multi‑robot system that detects and collects litter from the ocean floor without human divers. The platform combines underwater vehicles equipped with vision‑based detection, grippers, suction tools and collection baskets, coordinated by advanced planning algorithms and deployable from surface vessels or shore platforms. It targets maritime operators, offshore wind farms and marine protected areas seeking scalable, automated seabed cleanup.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Marine litter accumulates primarily on the seafloor, with an estimated 94% of the 26–66 million tons of waste residing there. Existing cleanup methods focus on surface debris and rely on human divers, exposing personnel to hazards and limiting the scale of removal.
Solution
SeaClear has developed an autonomous multi‑robot system capable of detecting and collecting litter from the ocean floor without direct human intervention. The solution integrates underwater vehicles equipped with vision‑based detection, grippers, suction tools, and collection baskets, coordinated by advanced planning and control algorithms. Detected debris is captured and stored onboard for later retrieval, while the system’s modular design allows deployment from surface vessels or shore‑based platforms. Data from missions are processed to improve detection models and operational efficiency, enabling scalable cleanup operations for ports, offshore installations, and marine protected areas.
Target Audience
Primary customers are maritime operators, offshore wind farm managers, and marine park authorities seeking automated solutions for seabed litter removal.
Features
- Autonomous underwater robots (AUVs/ROVs) with integrated cameras and sonar for real‑time litter detection
- Modular gripper and suction tools tailored to various debris sizes and shapes
- Onboard collection baskets for secure storage of retrieved waste
- Multi‑robot coordination and path‑planning algorithms to optimize coverage and energy use
- Surface‑launch and recovery systems using USVs for rapid deployment and retrieval
- Data acquisition pipeline for training and refining machine‑learning detection models
- Compatibility with existing maritime infrastructure and wind‑farm or port operations