University students launch project to clean up sea surfaces

University students have developed a ‘Sea Surface Cleaning Vehicle’. The vehicle, which has a waste capacity of 50 liters, can clean an area of 86 square meters per hour. The vehicle is controlled via a mobile application developed by the students. In a joint statement about the vehicle they developed, Doğuş University students Mert Emir, Oğuzhan Arun, and Serkan Evcil stated that they conducted research and observations at the Eminönü coast, Haliç, and Kadıköy piers in Istanbul, and said the following:

“It can clean an area of 86 square meters.”

"In these areas, the distance between the water and the land is less than 1 meter. These areas are where our project should be used and fulfill its purpose. Our project will provide significant savings for municipalities in such areas. Additionally, since it is electric, it will not harm the environment. Our vehicle can be used not only in the sea but also in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, canals, pools, and private property areas. Its cost-effectiveness compared to existing market examples makes it a viable commercial product and a preferred choice. Our vehicle can carry a payload of 50 kg and clean an area of 86 square meters per hour at a speed of 0.5 m/s. The waste container has a capacity of 50 liters. For example, it can hold 100 0.5-liter plastic bottles. It can be easily used by one person.

Stating that their projects stand out with their smaller size and functionality compared to existing vehicles on the market, team members said, "A highly mobile vehicle that can be easily transported by two people keeps logistics costs as low as possible. The design was created using computer-assisted programs for boats and conveyors and supported by computer-based analyses. The advantages provided by the boat's hull allow for easy maneuverability, enabling it to quickly navigate narrow spaces and direct waste toward the designated area. Regarding the software side, we have developed a mobile phone application that allows us to control the vehicle's motor speed through the app. The reason for this is to reduce the cost of the control unit and ESC, as well as to enable control from any phone."