Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

WasteShark, the plastic gobbling water robot, to debut at CES 2022

by RanMarine Technology 6 Jan 2022 01:18 PST
RanMarine founder and CEO Richard Hardiman © RanMarine Technology

Plastic Marine litter is one of the biggest threats to ocean life and humans. Now that there is more plastic in the water than fish, new solutions are desperately needed to radically reduce the harmful effects of microplastics. That's why the Dutch start-up RanMarine Technology is showing the WasteShark USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) at CES 2022, a floating drone designed to remove harmful plastic waste from waters and return it to shore before it can do damage.

Every year, 8 million tons of toxic plastic leak into our oceans. The UN Environmental Program predicts that this number will triple to about 35 million tons per year by 2040. RanMarine Technology, a startup of CleanTech Robotics, has come up with a solution to eradicate this pollution. The company invented multiple floating drones to clear waterways, canals, rivers and ports of plastic before it leaks into the ocean. In addition, the company is introducing a new docking station, with which the drones can independently remove plastic for 24 hours a day.

Water quality analysis

The WasteShark is designed to intelligently harvest plastic and biomass waste from urban waterways in smart cities, ports and ports. In addition to waste harvesting the drone also collects critical water quality data. The drone can be controlled directly by an operator or used in Autonomous mode. In this latter scenario, users can set the route and mission remotely via an online dashboard.

WasteShark's features

With 180 liters (47.5 gallons) of capacity and an 8-hour runtime, this hardworking robot can remove 500kg (1100lb) of waste a day. The WasteShark is also easy to use and deploy. Using 4G onboard communications and an easy setup process, launching multiple drones has been made deliberately simple and easy for customers. Additionally, the drone uses advanced battery technology ensuring emission-free operation on the water, and not adding to the water's pollution. This makes the WasteShark one of the solutions leading the way in the fight against plastic.

SharkPod Mothership

RanMarine will also introduce the SharkPod, the world's first autonomous floating docking station for waste-clearing drones, at CES 2022. With the ability to deploy, dock and charge up to 5 WasteShark drones at any time, this latest tool in pollution-fighting technology will enable ports, harbors and cities to operate a 24-hour autonomous solution to remove floating waste from the water.

With the ability to remove 1 ton of waste per drone per day, RanMarine expects the SharkPod to be capable to remove up to 100 tons or more of debris and waste per month. With the prototype unit that will be deployed in 2022, among other places in the Port of Rotterdam, drones will be able to dock, discharge waste, recharge and redeploy on a continuous 24-hour basis: all from a centrally controlled online environment.

New approach to current problems

The brainchild of RanMarine founder and CEO Richard Hardiman: "We have an epic battle on our hands. Current technologies are simply not working, we need a modern approach to a modern problem, and for me robots and autonomous drones were an easy and simple answer. Of course it's critical to create policies and strategies to stop plastic waste from entering our waterways as a primary strategy. Our WasteSharks offer a pragmatic solution for cleaning up the existing mess that is perpetuated on a daily basis, and effectively prevent waste from reaching the open ocean."

"With the release of the SharkPod, we aim to see full time deployment of WasteSharks with zero emissions and greater and quicker capture of toxic plastics in our waterways", says Hardiman. "With an ever-increasing plastic pollution challenge at hand, we need to reduce costs, increase capture rates and make these solutions ever more affordable and easier to deploy for every city and port globally."

Existing customers

RanMarine's robotic products are designed to remove plastic waste and biomass such as algae from waterways; their clients span over twelve territories and are made up of civic and commercial entities including the Port of Houston, Disney theme parks, the United Nations and local and state authorities worldwide.

RanMarine Marine will be exhibiting at CES 2022.

Related Articles

Marine Auctions February Online Auction
Bidding will close 27th February 2025 at 2pm AEST February 2025 Online Auction Bidding will close Thursday, 27th February 2025 at 2pm AEST. Posted today at 7:10 am
NMMA Canada's Industry Breakfast
Spotlighting innovators and state of the industry at the Toronto International Boat Show NMMA Canada hosted its annual Industry Breakfast, in conjunction with the Toronto Int'l Boat Show on Jan. 21, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and boating enthusiasts to highlight the state of the Canadian recreational boating industry. Posted on 5 Feb
Industry event news dominates this week
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America The Discover Boating New York Boat Show, Discover Boating Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow and the Discover Boating Minneapolis Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance, wrapped on Sunday, drawing more than 75,000 attendees. Posted on 5 Feb
TowBoatUS Lake Texoma takes home honors
Winning national 'Towing Company of the Year' award TowBoatUS Lake Texoma, a local on-water towing and assistance company for recreational boaters, was awarded Tower of the Year at the annual gathering of the TowBoatUS fleet owners, family and crew in Las Vegas in late January. Posted on 5 Feb
Savvy Navvy launches 'Savvy Integrated' for OEMs
Bringing intuitive charts to a leading American electric boat manufacturer Marine technology company Savvy Navvy has launched its first hardware integration solution, bringing intuitive charts to a leading American electric boat manufacturer. Posted on 5 Feb
Dockmate collborates with MOLABO
Innovator in safe-to-touch low-voltage electric propulsion systems Dockmate®, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote-control systems for yachts, has announced its collaboration with MOLABO, innovator in safe-to-touch low-voltage electric propulsion systems. Posted on 5 Feb
Rhode Island home to Blue Innovation Symposium
Unique conference brings together entrepreneurs, investors & stakeholders Blue Venture Forum's (BVF) 10th Annual Blue Innovation Symposium is all set for February 10-13, 2025, at the Wyndham Newport Hotel in Middletown, Rhode Island. Posted on 5 Feb
Metstrade 2025 sees strong early bookings
Metstrade is encouraged by the way exhibitors are finding their way to this years' show. Following the record-breaking success of Metstrade 2024, the upcoming 2025 edition is already attracting strong exhibitor interest. Posted on 5 Feb
Bluegame's exponential growth
Continual development and collaboration key to success Innovative design, continuous development and a strategy firmly grounded in sustainability has seen Bluegame Yachts experience exponential growth over the last five years. Posted on 5 Feb
Coast Guard expresses gratitude to Anchor Sponsors
Donations made in 2024 supported Coast Guard members and families The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, extends its heartfelt appreciation to its 2024 Anchor Sponsors for their remarkable generosity. Posted on 4 Feb
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER