heading
The project is an aquatic robot that is designed to prevent harmful algal blooms by aerating the water using an adjustable Venturi nozzle. This aeration helps reduce nutrients in waterbodies which are the main contributor to harmful algal blooms. With an implemented AI image detection model, the robot can also identify potential algae in real time whilst also navigating to areas with low dissolved oxygen in smaller rivers, ponds, and lakes. It’s sustained by an onboard LiFePO4 battery and solar panels, ensuring continuous functionality with minimal maintenance.
This is how I came up with the idea for this project:It came about when I was scrolling the news back in 2023 and saw mentions of the various fish kills that occurred in Australia due to harmful algal blooms.
Documentation
Novel Subsurface Venturi Aeration Robot with an Integrated Convolutional Neural Network for the Inexpensive Detection and Self-Sufficient Prevention of Algal Blooms This project presents a novel, low-cost subsurface Venturi aeration robot designed to prevent HABs while integrating an AI-based algae detection system. The robot autonomously navigates small water bodies, using an optimized adjustable Venturi nozzle to deliver oxygen efficiently at varying depths, reducing nutrient loads that instigate blooms
