The new BeachBot robot relies on artificial intelligence technology that can identify cigarette butts by previewing the images it obtains from the Microsoft Trove application, and through special cameras equipped with it to monitor the surroundings in it.

In order for the robot to accurately distinguish between the shapes of cigarette butts, it needs to preview about 2,000 different images of cigarette butts that people have previously thrown, which it will get from the aforementioned application.

The prototype made for this robot can currently work for an hour straight, then it will need to be recharged, and its special arms and techniques are currently able to find and collect about 20 pieces of cigarette butts lying on the beaches.

About this invention, Edvin Boss, one of the robot’s developers, said, “Cigarette butts and filters contain microplastic particles, and when the water reaches the cigarette filters thrown in nature, the filters produce highly toxic substances and harmful to aquatic life. Turtles, birds, fish, and even mollusks and snails are affected by it.”