A groundbreaking approach to detecting and monitoring marine plastic litter
Related REMEDIES pillar: Detection and Monitoring
Partner(s)/Owner(s): Mohammed Premier University
Made for: Government agencies, local authorities, marinas, researchers, NGOs, and industry users
What is the Aerial Drone & AI Solution?
The Aerial Drone & AI solution represents a groundbreaking approach to detecting and monitoring marine plastic litter. By integrating drones with advanced AI, particularly deep learning algorithms, this technology offers real-time detection of plastic waste in coastal areas. The drones capture high-resolution images and videos, which are then analyzed by AI to identify and classify marine litter with exceptional precision. This combination allows for swift, large-scale monitoring of plastic pollution, enabling more effective cleanup and waste management strategies.
This patented technology is developed and owned by University Mohammed Premier, a REMEDIES program partner. The development goal is to advance from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to TRL 8 by the end of 2026, when the REMEDIES program will be concluded. Achieving this level will signify a fully operational, tested, and validated solution ready for deployment in real-world environments. This evolution ensures that the Aerial Drone & AI system remains at the forefront of innovation in marine litter detection.
Impact: What Challenges Does This Technology Address?
Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges. This technology addresses two critical issues:
- Detection of Marine Litter: By using high-resolution cameras and AI-driven image recognition, the Aerial Drone & AI solution identifies and classifies different types of plastic litter in coastal areas, rivers, and seas. This level of precision enables targeted clean-up efforts.
- Continuous Monitoring: The solution facilitates continuous, real-time monitoring of marine litter accumulation. This supports efforts to track seasonal trends and environmental changes, providing a clear view of waste hotspots and enabling data-driven decisions for waste reduction.
This solution, tested in the Saidia Demo Site in Morocco, aligns with the pillars of the REMEDIES program — Detection and Monitoring.
Unique Value Proposition: What Makes This Technology Stand Out?
- Rapid, Large-Scale Coverage: Drones can cover expansive areas of coastlines and marine environments with speed and efficiency, significantly reducing the time required for inspection.
- High-Resolution Imaging: The system’s high-resolution cameras capture detailed images and videos of the coastal landscape, enabling more precise identification of plastic waste.
- Real-Time Data Analysis: Leveraging AI, particularly deep learning algorithms, allows for real-time processing of collected data, leading to faster and more accurate reporting.
- Reduced Resource Dependence: Unlike traditional monitoring, this approach minimizes reliance on human resources for manual inspection, reducing operational costs.
- Dynamic Pollution Mapping: By tracking plastic waste levels over time, the system can generate dynamic pollution maps that reveal hotspots, seasonal trends, and shifts in population density.
The Aerial Drone & AI technology is a dynamic development to meet the complex global demands of environmental monitoring and waste management.
User: Who Can Benefit from This Technology?
Organizations and stakeholders can elevate their efforts for marine litter reduction with cutting-edge, efficient, and impactful tools . Its relevance spans multiple sectors, including government agencies, local authorities, marinas, researchers, NGOs, and industry users. By enabling precise, large-scale detection of marine litter, it provides stakeholders with actionable insights that support sustainability goals and policy compliance.
Exploitation Pathway: How Will This Technology Be Put Into Action?
The exploitation pathway for this solution revolves around strategic partnerships with the above-mentioned users As marine litter detection becomes a more pressing regulatory requirement, demand for efficient and automated monitoring tools will rise. The Aerial Drone & AI solution aims to fulfill this need by offering:
- R&D Projects (Non-Profit): The development of the technology will be facilitated through collaborative research and development projects, supporting innovation and technological evolution.
- Operational Readiness: By 2026, the technology will reach TRL 8, signaling its readiness for large-scale implementation.
- Partnership Opportunities: Collaboration with governments, local authorities, environmental advocacy groups, researchers, NGOs, and industry users, to drive sustainable marine waste management.
- Expansion into New Markets: The ability to offer a patented, validated, and operational tool to new regions or sectors where marine litter monitoring is essential.
Through these pathways, the Aerial Drone & AI solution we aim to position the technology as a leading choice for organizations seeking to improve coastal waste management aligning with sustainability goals.
Discover More
Learn more about University Mohammed Premier, a leading REMEDIES program partner, here.
- Access additional information and external links about the technology:
Stay tuned!
Explore the Marketplace Page for the Aerial Drone & AI technology – available soon!
Watch the Technology Presentation of YouTube – available soon!
