Clear Robotics, a start-up founded by two university graduates, is addressing the issue of floating trash and debris in waterways with autonomous robot boats.

Their creation, the Clearbot, is designed to clean harbors, lakes, and canals by collecting floating waste into onboard storage bins.

The company is now expanding its fleet with a new Class 3 autonomous marine vessel, which has five times the storage capacity of its predecessor, holding up to 1.5 tons of debris and capable of towing an additional barge for extended operations.

This new vessel not only collects floating trash but also tackles invasive weeds and can be used for water quality surveillance, as well as oil and foam collection.

It can gather up to 441 pounds of garbage per hour and has an onboard storage capacity of 1,100 pounds.

Equipped with an electric drive, the vessel operates at an average speed of 3.5 mph and has a 3-kWh battery pack that lasts up to eight hours per charge, Fox News has reported.

Solar panels on top add extra operational hours in ideal conditions.

Additionally, Clear Robotics has implemented a self-docking mechanism across its fleet, enabling the vessels to autonomously return to docking stations with solar charging units.

Written by B.C. Begley