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Best robots of CES 2023

Editor’s Picks: best robots of CES 2023

By Mike Oitzman | 

The consumer electronics show (CES) is the largest event for consumer product launches in the world. I had the opportunity to attend CES for the first time this year, and it was an overwhelming experience. With over 3,200 vendors, there is so much to see that it would be impossible for one person to see and experience everything. That’s where pre-event research is critical to distill the vendor list down to a manageable size. I wanted to see over 60 robot-related products at CES 2023, and I only had two days to do so.

Here’s a recap of my favorite robotic solutions at CES 2023 (in no particular order):

Waste Shark by RanMarine

I stumbled on the Waste Shark by RanMarine in the Netherlands innovation area of CES Eureka Park. This was the serendipitous part of my CES adventure. Waste Shark is an autonomous marine vehicle that is designed to navigate small waterways and clear plastics, bio-waste and other debris from the surface of the water. The robot is completely autonomous but takes its basic design from its larger manned sibling, the Tender Shark.

The primary use case for Waste Shark is to operate on contained bodies of either fresh or salt water.  Parks, golf courses and amusement parks are just a few of the potential application areas for Waste Shark. The robot needs to return to the dock or shoreline when it’s time to remove the debris from its internal trap. It is a simple process to remove the trash basket as it slides out of the front of the vehicle for emptying.

The robot monitors its forward speed and determines that the trash basket is full when there is a measurable drag on the forward motion of the vehicle. Waste Shark can operate in salt water, but due to its small size should be restricted to operation in contained harbors.

Enchanted Tools – Mirokai

If you went to CES 2023 but didn’t meet Mirokai, don’t go looking for the booth that wasn’t there. Enchanted Tools showed off Mirokai in a private suite to an exclusive group of people. I was lucky enough to secure an invite.

There’s a lot to like, and a lot to question about the future of Mirokai as a commercial solution. What I liked about Mirokai was the top-notch overall design, form and function of the robot. The Enchanted Tools designers and engineering team did a fantastic job in pulling the whole design concept together. I love the face, head and interactivity of Mirokai – it’s immediately engaging.

With an animated face, there’s no uncanny valley to cross, and you are immediately enthralled (some might say enchanted) by the eyes, mouth and voice. This robot is built kinematically around a ball-bot, and there hasn’t been a commercially successful implementation of a ball-bot yet. With a moveable torso, head and arms, Mirokai is more complex than the original ball-bot designs.

The beauty of the ball-bot is in its fluid motion across the floor, and this supports the illusion of the Mirokai character. The downside (in my opinion) is that a ball-bot is dynamically stable, and any small disruption to its balance, such as pushing on the head or pulling on an arm, requires that the robot respond to keep its balance. In an ideal world with flat surfaces, the ball-bot can maintain its balance. However, the cluttered house of an elderly owner is going to present challenges to the navigation paradigm and balance-keeping algorithms for this class of robot design.

Overall, I give Mirokai high marks for design implementation and interactivity. It is the most pleasing service robot that I’ve ever interacted with.

What was a little over the top in the product introduction, is the whole mythology behind the Miroko world and the Mirokai characters. Enchanted Tools is trying to make a whole new set of characters and bring them to life. To make a social robot for the elder care use case, you don’t need to know the whole origin story behind it.

The company has already shown that it can give Mirokai a persona that is charming and fun to talk to. If Mirokai is used for entertainment, the company still has a lot of work to do to make videos, books and games that fit with the mythology.

New Ottonomy Yeti robot

The Ottonomy Yeti Ottobot features a holonomic drive and an automatic package delivery option. | Credit: Ottonomy

Ottonomy demoed the new Ottobot Yeti last-mile delivery robot at CES 2023. This new platform includes an entirely new drive platform that includes holonomic motion using a four-wheel swerve drive. The cargo-carrying payload platform has also been redesigned to be larger and more robust. The payload area includes two cargo bays that open autonomously, to allow a patron to remove only their order.

Yeti also features an optional autonomous cargo drop door. This enables Yeti to autonomously move a package (i.e. a box) from inside the cargo bay, onto the ground or into a locker.

Ottonomy received an RBR50 Award in 2021, for its first delivery application deployment within the Cincinnati Airport. Since that first generation, Ottonomy has continued to expand the capabilities of the platform, and to enable indoor to outdoor navigation. This capability makes Ottobot one of the few AMRs capable of both indoor and outdoor navigation with the same platform. The company is targeting curbside delivery for both grocery and mall-based restaurants as the initial market for the robots.

aeo by Aeolus Robotics

Aeolus Robotics demoed the second generation of its aeo social robot at CES2023. This latest generation of aeo is a complete redo of the robot design from the original model. The robot still features two fully articulating and vision-guided manipulators (i.e. arms).

aeo can be equipped with a number of different end effectors. The primary gripper is a two-fingered gripper, useful for picking up items, and opening drawers and doors.

The company has also developed (and demoed) the following end effectors:

  • Two fingered gripper
  • Large, general area UV disinfecting light
  • Small, door handle UV disinfecting light
  • Interactive tablet
  • Interactive phone, tablet and printer

The primary use case for aeo is elder care, and the company has deployed a number of aeo gen 2 units into elder care facilities in Japan. With the new capability to ride an elevator, aeo can now be deployed into multilevel facilities.

BIM Printer

The BIM Printer robot features a mobile frame with an X/Y plotter-style print unit to paint BIM data onto the building floor. | Credit: BIM Printer

The construction robotics market has evolved quickly over the last five years. One of the companies on my CES hit list was BIM Printer, a French robotics company that hasn’t spent much time in the U.S. prior to this event.

Unfortunately, the company didn’t have a live demo at the booth, but I spent some time talking to co-founder Vincent Agie. The robot is currently being employed to lay out the interior floor space for tenants at the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world).

Unlike the other BIM information printers on the market, BIM consists of two robots: a movable AMR frame that indexes across the floor to position the base unit, combined with an X/Y plotter that paints the BIM data onto the floor. The other automated BIM marking solutions on the market leverage an AMR that paints BIM data as it moves across the floor.

BIM Printer has an accuracy of 2 mm (0.079″) and achieves this accuracy through the use of a total station to localize the position of the robot. The go-to-market for the company is through survey company partners and construction service companies.

The company is also introducing a BIM ceiling printer that can mark all of the construction details onto the ceiling. This data includes the placement of walls, ducting, water, electrical and other utilities.

Robosen transformer toy robot

What would CES be without toy robots? There were plenty of consumer robotic toys on display, but I’ve chosen to discuss my favorite robotic plaything. Robosen is more than just a toy, its product line includes a number of transforming robot characters that range in price from $300 to $1000.

The current star of the Robosen product line (more on that later) is the Elite Optimus Prime auto-converting and programmable robot. The product is officially licensed and designed in collaboration with Hasbro.

Optimus Prime Robot is an auto-converting, interactive, programmable, voice-activated, mobile-controlled robotic toy. Robosen brings Optimus Prime to life with a fully immersive experience through voice-activated actions, mobile app controls, and endless hours of creative and fun ways to program Optimus Prime to walk, punch, blast, drive, and convert at the swipe of your finger, or command of your voice.

Next on the Robosen product roadmap will be the release of a fully articulated Disney Pixar cobranded Buzz Lightyear robot. | Credit: The Robot Report

RobotSmith material finishing workstation

RobotSmith is a fully enclosed grinding and polishing solution that uses CAD data to drive the robot paths for material finishing. | Credit: The Robot Report

RobotSmith was another serendipitous discovery I made in the Taiwan section of CES Eureka Park. This robotic work cell is a true industrial robot application that leverages an industrial robot arm to grind and polish metal objects. It wasn’t what I would have expected to discover at CES.

I was impressed by the integration between CAD model data, force feedback and AI-driven path generation in the solution. Robot Smith uses the CAD model of a part and a simulation environment to generate the grinding and polishing path. Next, it uses vision guidance to pick up unfinished physical parts from a material tray, and take the item to the various grinding and polishing station as the item is worked to the desired final state of finish.

Third Wave autonomous warehouse fork truck

ThirdWave had a static demo unit in the Ouster booth at CES2023. Credit: The Robot Report

The final discovery worth highlighting from CES 2023 is Third Wave Automation. The company is developing an automated pallet-moving fork truck for use in warehouses. The bay area company didn’t have its own booth, but it had a nonmoving demo unit of its autonomous fork truck on display at the Ouster booth.

The company is using Ouster LiDAR for navigation and obstacle avoidance. The AMR has three operational modes: (1) manual; (2) remote operation; (3) fully autonomous operation. Third Wave has implemented a controls package and sensor array that can retrofit an existing fork truck. The company is initially working with a fork truck partner Clark, and has built a package for the NPX20 vehicle. This vehicle has a load capacity of 4000 lbs (1800 kg).

Third Wave instruments the fork truck with vision cameras, LiDAR and other sensors such that a remote operator in the Third Wave remote operations center can monitor the movement of the robot. If the robot detects an issue such as a misaligned pallet, or it loses localization, the remote operator is alerted to the situation. The operator can then either remotely pilot the robot to safe location or resolve the issue to put it back into autonomous operation. Or the remote operator can alert an on-site operator to the situation and enable them to take local control of the vehicle to resolve the issue. At any time, the robot can be switched from autonomous mode to manual mode so that it can be operated under human control.

This control paradigm is a unique differentiator as many of the competitors are either manual/autonomous or remote/autonomous or manual/remote, but this is one of the first solutions that I’ve seen with the three operational modalities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Oitzman

Mike Oitzman is Editor of WTWH’s Robotics Group and founder of the Mobile Robot Guide. Oitzman is a robotics industry veteran with 25-plus years of experience at various high-tech companies in the roles of marketing, sales and product management. He can be reached at moitzman@wtwhmedia.com.

Read the article on The Robot Report

RanMarine Technology shows first electric harvesting vessel to fight waterway pollution

Dutch scale-up RanMarine Technology says that debris intentionally or accidentally ends up in the world’s lakes, waterways, and other marine environments every day. There is no body of water that does not experience this problem, according to the company, with the unsightly debris being a threat to marine life, navigational safety, and human health. That’s why it developed products like the MegaShark, an electrically driven vessel shown at CES 2023 and designed to remove trash from waters and return it to shore before it can do damage.

Adding more detail to the growing problem, the company says that every year, 11 million metric tons of toxic plastic leak into oceans on top of the estimated 200 million metric tons that are already in the broader marine environments. The UN Environmental Program predicts that the former number will triple to about 35 million tons per year by 2040. With marine debris being one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world’s oceans and waterways, according to the Marine Debris Program, new solutions are being sought globally to radically reduce the harmful effects of waste.

In response, RanMarine Technology created WasteShark, the world’s first commercially available marine drone that collects both waste and data from the world’s waterways. The brainchild of RanMarine founder and CEO Richard Hardiman, the WasteShark USV (unmanned surface vessel) has been designed to scoop harmful plastic waste from waterways, canals, rivers, and ports and return it to shore before it can do damage.

The company’s line of industrial remote controlled and autonomous “sharks” help government bodies and companies concerned with the economic, regulatory, and aesthetic impact of polluted water efficiently removes surface trash and biomass while preventing imbalances in their marine environments. Its multipurpose drones incorporating advanced AI are inspired by nature and restore waterways back to their natural state with zero emissions, limited noise, and a fraction of the investment compared to other methods.

“We have an epic battle on our hands,” said Hardiman, “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 WasteShark offers a pragmatic solution for cleaning up the existing mess that is perpetuated on a daily basis and effectively preventing waste from reaching the open ocean.”

The new and larger MegaShark highlighted at CES harvests waste from waterways using powerful suction jets to increase waste capture in difficult-to-reach chokeholds. An onboard trash compaction system makes it possible to collect larger amounts of waste per day. A MegaShark operator can manage the drone by standing or sitting on the vessel or operating it remotely. In addition to waste harvesting, the drone collects critical water quality data that can be immediately transmitted to a portal and available for reporting and analysis.

The drone has 8 h of electric running time thanks to advanced battery technology. A shallow draft gives the vessel less drag to improve efficiency and battery life.

Plans call for MegaShark to be part of a bigger RanMarine vehicle ecosystem.

The company will introduce the TenderShark, a versatile “mini” tender designed to carry light cargo loads efficiently and effectively from ship to shore, and vice-versa. It is engineered to transport loads in an environmental manner with an option to simultaneously collect floating waste, allowing all marine vessel operators to assist in cleanup.

Another “world first” from RanMarine is an autonomous floating docking station for waste-clearing drones. The SharkPod mothership can deploy, dock, and charge up to 5 WasteShark drones at any time. This latest tool in pollution-fighting technology can enable ports, harbors, and cities to operate a 24-h autonomous solution to remove floating water waste. It will be available for purchase in early 2023.

RanMarine’s customers are worldwide and made up of civic and commercial entities including the Port of Houston, Disney theme parks, Universal, and the United Nations.

The company is exhibiting at CES 2023 in Booth 55332.

Link

CES 2023: MegaShark takes a bite out of marine trash

MegaShark gobbles up toxic plastic and marine litter.

Sharks are known for having stomachs of steel. The newest product from Dutch scale-up  RanMarine Technology is no exception.

One could describe the MegaShark as a robot vacuum for bodies of water. It’s a remotely piloted vessel that sits atop the water and scoots along with a wide-open mouth, sucking up debris and carting it back to shore.

The MegaShark hopes to tackle the ever-growing problem of polluted waterways, a particular concern here in Florida.

According to RanMarine Technology, there’s currently 200 million metric tons (approximately 220 U.S. tons) of toxic plastic in marine environments and another 11 million metric tons (or 12 U.S. tons) are added to the pile every year. The UN Environmental Program predicts the amount of new waste entering waterways will triple by 2040.

The MegaShark has an interesting digestive system too. According to RanMarine Technology, a startup of CleanTech Robotics, the seaworthy drone has an onboard trash compactor which allows it to scoop up as much waste as possible every time it hits the water.

The company said the device can be piloted remotely but is also hardy enough for users to sit or stand on it as it makes its rounds. The onboard battery will keep the MegaShark moving for about eight hours.

A bonus feature: The MegaShark packs all the necessary instruments for water quality analysis.

RanMarine plans to introduce two other “species” to its shark lineup.

The TenderShark is tailored to the boating community. The mini tender is able to carry light cargo loads efficiently and effectively from ship to shore, and vice versa. Users have the option to collect floating waste as the TenderShark makes its cargo runs.

Meanwhile, the SharkPod is what RanMarine describes as a “mothership” — it’s an autonomous floating docking station which can charge up to five WasteShark drones at a time. RanMarine said the solution will allow ports, harbors and cities to keep their drones chugging around the clock. The SharkPod will be available to purchase in early 2023.

Currently, RanMarine’s drones are sucking up garbage for the Port of Houston, Disney theme parks, Universal and the United Nations in addition to several other local and state authorities worldwide.

Read the article by Drew Wilson on Florida Politics

Drew Wilson

Drew Wilson covers legislative campaigns and fundraising for Florida Politics. He is a former editor at The Independent Florida Alligator and business correspondent at The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson, a University of Florida alumnus, covered the state economy and Legislature for LobbyTools and The Florida Current prior to joining Florida Politics.

Interviews with Innovators – WasteShark: Continuously working to improve water quality

December 22, 2022

In the United States, South Korea, South Africa, Australia and various places in Europe, the innovative cleaning robot WasteShark is already being used to fish floating debris out of the water. Since last week, one has also been ‘swimming’  through the canals of Zaanstad , the first in the Netherlands. And that is striking, because RanMarine, the company behind the WasteShark, is located in Rotterdam. We interviewed the creator and CEO Richard Hardiman and the Dutch consultant Peter Kwakernaak about this smart cleaning robot and the plans that lie ahead.

Litter fishing

The idea for the WasteShark came to South African born and raised Hardiman in 2009 over a cup of coffee in Cape Town. “I had some spare time during my studies and went to get a cup of coffee at the V&A Waterfront. As I sat there I saw two men fishing garbage out of the waters of the harbour with a long net. They did it that way every day. I come from a family of engineers and immediately thought: ‘Surely there must be more efficient ways?’. My thoughts ran wild and I soon had the first ideas for a robot that fished up the litter in my head. I had no destination for it at the time, but the idea stuck in my head for a few years anyway. Eventually someone said to me: ‘if you don’t do anything with it, someone else will’.”

Prototype

That was about the same time Boyan Slat drew attention to his ‘Ocean Cleanup’ and the problem of plastic in the oceans. This made it clear to Hardiman that there was a real need for cleaner water solutions to prevent microplastics from reaching the oceans. He decided to further develop his idea and build a prototype. “Once that was done, I thought it was time to start working with people who can do this much better than me,” says Hardiman with a laugh. In 2016, for example, he came into contact with the Port XL Accelerator program in Rotterdam. After a selection procedure, the innovation was further developed at the  RDM  site in Rotterdam with the help of experts and investors.

richard-hardiman-interview-waterrecreatie-nederland-wastesharkAbout three years ago, RanMarine went on its own two feet. It was decided to no longer work with external consultants, but to employ the developers in order to create more connection with the product. The company now employs about 25 people and is working on new models. An office in the United States (Florida) has also recently been opened.

WasteShark

On its own website, RanMarine describes the WasteShark as an ‘Autonomous Surface Vessel’ or ASV for short. The name refers to the whale shark -or Whale Shark-, which swims slowly on the surface water and eats plankton there. The WasteShark does the same thing, but with floating litter. It is a kind of catamaran with a basket between the floats in which the junk is collected. The hull is powered by two electric motors. There are two versions, a remote-controlled one and a ‘smarter’ one that can be programmed to keep an area clean without bumping into anything. A total of about 6 hours can be sailed, during which a maximum of 350 kilograms of waste can be ‘caught’. The WasteShark itself has a weight of 72 kilos and is small enough to be transported in a car.

“The idea has always been to catch ‘fresh plastic’ while it still floats on the surface. Then it is still quite easy to fish out of the water. Before it breaks into pieces or can become microplastic. It becomes more difficult if it disappears under water or is carried by the current to the sea.” says Hardiman. “We found out that one of the reasons there was so little waste disposal was because it was just a hassle. For example, if you need a boat to reach certain places. So we had to make that easier and we succeeded with the WasteShark.”

The WasteSharks don’t just fish waste out of the water. Especially in the United States, they are also used to remove excessive algae growth and thus contribute to better water quality. In addition, the WasteSharks can also collect data about water quality, such as acidity and temperature. Those interested can find a demonstration video of the WasteShark on YouTube .

Worldwide

There are now about 70 WasteSharks in operation worldwide, including at major parties such as Disney, the United Nations, Houston Harbor and the World Wildlife Fund. They are used in various places, such as amusement parks, (marina) harbours and nature reserves. Hardiman adds: “I have always had the feeling that we are really a Dutch company. But we just don’t have many customers here. That is the goal for the coming years, to have more WasteSharks swimming around in our own country”.

peter-kwakernaak-interview-waterrecreatie-nederland-wasteshark

That is also one of the reasons that Peter Kwakernaak is connected. The two have a connection via South Africa, where Kwakernaak had a  guesthouse for a while  . Back in the Netherlands, the native Hagenaar had the desire to undertake more sustainable activities. “So I started helping Richard to further expand his network in the Netherlands. There was something very beautiful in Rotterdam, it cannot be that a pearl of Dutch  green tech  is Rotterdam’s best kept secret.” says Kwakernaak.

Expand in the Netherlands

Both do not see the fact that the roll-out in the Netherlands is not yet automatic as something negative. Hardiman: “The adoption of ‘ new-tech’  always takes time, especially in a more traditional sector such as the maritime sector. In other countries, such as the US, this is faster. I don’t see that as a bad thing, it ensures that everything here in the Netherlands remains nice and stable. So we have to let our products prove themselves, so that they will also be bought here. Zaanstad is a first example of this, we receive good feedback and data that we can also use for other cities. It is also not a product that you are immediately convinced of after reading the brochure, you have to see it for yourself. We will be organizing many demonstrations in the coming months, visiting trade fairs and this is how the WasteShark will have to prove itself.”

“Fortunately, we are already seeing that happen,” Kwakernaak adds. “A number of users have now opted to expand the ‘fleet’ and purchase more WasteSharks from RanMarine. That is of course a good sign. Together with an expansion of our portfolio, I see significant growth in the coming period.”

Sponsorships

Kwakernaak sees many opportunities for what they call ‘sponsorships’ for a further expansion of the fleet. “You could also use the WaterShark as a floating advertising column for your branding , while cleaning the water in the meantime. For large brands that want to make a sustainable contribution, it becomes so attractive to really do something and at the same time bring their brand to the attention in a positive way. Or, for example, in combination with a water festival such as Amsterdam Pride, where the water is unintentionally polluted.”

Dream

When asked about the dream scenario for the future, Hardiman is clear: “My dream is that we can deploy zero-emission, battery-powered robots all over the world to contribute to clean water. In addition to fishing for waste, we can also take measurements and thus monitor the quality of the water. I dream that we will soon have thousands of them sailing around the world, collecting data. I hope the WasteSharks become as normal as the robot vacuum cleaners or robot lawnmowers. So that we are constantly working on improving water quality all over the world. At the same time, I am aware that this is only part of the solution. Fortunately, a lot is already being done to reduce the use of plastic and prevent pollution.

Kwakernaak adds: “We are currently working on a larger robot, the MegaShark. It is intended to be used in somewhat rougher water, possibly also at sea. We think that they can be put to good use there, for example for cleaning and taking measurements around wind farms. If you were to send a boat there now, the windmills would have to be stopped. With our unmanned  sharks that’s not necessary. In addition, we are now working on the ‘OilShark’, the concept of which has now been devised. This would allow us to clean up oil and other nautical fluids if they end up in the water. And what might be a nice dream for the future is that all large ships, for example superyachts and recreational users, have a WasteShark on board to help clean up the mess in the water or in the port where they moor and thus jointly bear the responsibility for clean water .”

Read the article by Waterrecreatie Nederland on link

MegaShark, the trash collection catamaran, to Debut at CES 2023

Each day debris intentionally or accidentally ends up in our lakes, waterways and marine environments.

There is no body of water that does not experience this problem. This unsightly debris is a threat to our marine life, navigational safety, and to human health.   That’s why the Dutch scale-up RanMarine Technology is showing the MegaShark at CES 2023, an electrically driven vessel designed to remove trash from waters and return it to shore before it can do damage.

Every year, 11 million metric tons of toxic plastic leak into our oceans on top of the estimated 200 million metric tons that are already in our marine environments . 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 has 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 drone which can transport light cargo together with collecting floating trash and biomass.

MEGASHARK FEATURES

The MegaShark™ is designed to harvest waste from our waterways using powerful suction jets to increase waste capture in difficult to reach chokeholds. Armed with  an onboard trash compaction system, it’s  possible to collect larger amounts of waste per day. With a shallow draft, the vessel emits less drag which improves efficiency and battery life.  The MegaShark™ is easy to operate: an operator is able to  manage the drone comfortably by standing or sitting on the vessel itself, or operating remotely on the side-lines.  Additionally, the drone has 8 hours running time (electric) and uses advanced battery technology – ensuring emission-free operation on the water, and not polluting the environment any further..

With marine debris being one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world’s ocean and waterways today, according to the Marine Debris Program, new solutions are being sought globally to radically reduce the harmful effects of waste. The MegaShark is one solution at the forefront of the marine debris fight.

WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS

RanMarine Technology’s drones are designed to harvest plastic and biomass waste from urban waterways in smart cities, ports and harbours. In addition to waste harvesting,  the drone also collects critical water quality data, which is immediately transmitted to the portal and available for reporting and analysis, ensuring our waters are safe for everyone.

TENDERSHARK

RanMarine will also introduce the TenderShark, which is designed to service the boating community. This versatile “mini” tender is designed to carry light cargo loads efficiently and effectively from ship to shore, and vice-versa. Together with transporting loads in an environmental manner you have the option for simultaneously collecting floating waste, allowing all marine vessel operators / owners to assist in the fight against plastic.

SHARKPOD MOTHERSHIP

The world’s first autonomous floating docking station for waste-clearing drones, RanMarine’s  SharkPod™, has the ability to deploy, dock and charge up to 5 WasteShark drones at any time. This is our  latest tool in pollution-fighting technology that will enable ports, harbours and cities to operate a 24-hour autonomous solution to remove floating waste from the water. The SharkPod will be available to purchase in early 2023.

NEW APPROACH TO CURRENT PROBLEMS

The brainchild of RanMarine founder and CEO Richard Hardiman, the WasteShark USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) has been designed to scoop harmful plastic waste from waterways, canals, rivers and Ports and return it to shore before it can do damage. “We have an epic battle on our hands’, says Hardiman, “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 WasteShark’s 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.”

EXISTING CUSTOMERS

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

Read the article on Startups Magazine

Tech Solutions for a Responsible Future at CES 2023

The Kingdom of the Netherlands to Showcase 70 Companies with Tech Solutions for a Responsible Future at CES 2023

AMSTERDAM (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 22, 2022

The Netherlands’ CES 2023 delegation includes 40 startups in Eureka Park and 30 scale-ups in the Venetian Expo, with tech solutions that span sustainability and circularity, energy transition, battery tech, health and wellness, sports, safety, 5G, IoT, communications, space, nanotech, sensors, drones and robots, AI, big data, security, blockchain, AR/VR, edtech, quantum computing, integrated photonics, enterprise solutions and the future of work.

Returning for the seventh consecutive year, The Kingdom of the Netherlands, today announced the 70 Dutch startup and scale-up tech companies who will take part in the Netherlands (NL Tech) Pavilions, January 5 – 8 in Las Vegas at CES 2023, the global stage for innovation.

Dutch ingenuity and innovation has played a significant role in the world’s evolution over the past centuries. The 40 startup and 30 scale-up companies participating in the NL Pavilions at CES 2023 focus heavily on “Tech for a Responsible Future” and span a wide berth of tech categories that will define future economies, including: sustainability, electric and solar powered vehicles, battery tech, smart cities and smart homes, energy storage, health and wellness, AI and quantum computing, AR/VR, robotics, sensors and more. The Netherlands Startup Pavilion will be located in Eureka Park (Hall G, Booth 62100) in the Venetian Expo, and the Netherlands Next Level Pavilion will be located upstairs in the Venetian Expo(Hall A-C, Booth 55332). Preview the CES 2023 NL Tech Pavilion companies here.

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s largest technology hubs, with 2.6 times as many startups per-one-million residents as the European average — and is ranked among the top five globally in terms of public technology companies in total market capitalization. “The Netherlands sees entrepreneurship and innovation as essential to address the world’s most urgent challenges,” said HRH Prince Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy to Techleap.nl. “The presentation of 70 impact ventures at the NL Pavilions at CES 2023 demonstrates the Netherlands’ ambition to lead positive societal change. Over the years we have experienced that CES offers an outstanding opportunity for our Dutch startups and scale-ups to engage with an international audience of like-minded tech entrepreneurs, investors, potential partners and the media.”

The 70 Dutch technology companies and their solutions featured at CES 2023 include:
SUSTAINABILITY AND CIRCULARITY:

  • AgXeed: Designs, builds and delivers autonomous units for agriculture. (Startup)
  • CarbonX: New carbon material that helps tire makers meet the increasing demand for sustainability, safety and performance. (Startup)
  • Dayrize: The global leader for rapid climate impact assessment of consumer products.(Startup)
  • GSES: One-stop sustainability platform, translating over 550 existing international sustainability standards into a universal score and explanation. (Scale-up)
  • iTapToo: A zero-waste solution to refill bottles with a healthy & delicious alternative to traditional sodas. (Startup)
  • Leadax: Manufacturers of highly circular and sustainable flat roofing made from unusable plastic waste. (Scale-up)
  • OneThird: Predicts shelf-life of fresh produce, enabling real-time decisions in the food supply chain and prevents food waste. (Startup and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • Orbisk: Monitors and reduces food waste in professional kitchens by employing progressive AI technology that improves sustainability and profitability. (Startup)
  • RanMarine: Developer of the patented WasteShark, the world’s first autonomous aquadrone that cleans pollution from waterways and collects data about water quality. (Scale-up)
  • Steambox Self-heating, rechargeable lunch box that allows you to enjoy a hot meal anywhere, anytime. (Startup)
  • Wastewatchers: AI-driven forecasting and food waste monitoring for food service companies. (Startup)

ENERGY TRANSITION AND BATTERY TECHNOLOGY:

  • Advanced Climate Systems: Next-gen building intelligence for installation and property management. (Scale-up and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • eLstar Dynamics: Patented technology for manufacturing the world’s most effective, versatile, attainable dynamic glass. (Startup)
  • Greener Power Solutions: Reduces the CO2 footprint of temporary power markets by using its own fleet of large batteries and in-house energy management software. (Scale-up)
  • Ixora: Manufacturer of future generation electronic and immersion cooling technologies that contribute to the energy transition. (Scale-up)
  • LeydenJar: Creator of a sustainable super battery that uses ultra-thin pure silicon battery anodes to produce Li-Ion batteries that possess 70% more energy density than current battery designs, and produce a lower CO2 footprint with significant cost savings. (Scale-up and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • Nowi: A semiconductor company that specializes in the development of energy-harvesting power management technology for consumer electronics and IoT devices. (Scale-up)
  • Supersola: Plug-and-play solar panels. Works on wall sockets worldwide. (Scale-up and CES Innovation Award Honoree).

HEALTH, SPORTS AND SAFETY:

  • Alphabeats: EEG-based mental training that uses music and neurofeedback to improve performance in elite athletes. (Startup and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • Absolute Audio Labs (AAL): Audio software for the hearing impaired. (Scale-up)
  • AYAVAYA: A “magic cabin” that uses patented, scientifically-tested technology to reduce stress and recharge the user’s energy, focus and mental balance within 20 minutes. (Startup)
  • ChatLicense: AI-powered gamified platform to make a diploma part of owning a smartphone. (Startup)
  • Crdl: Human-centered interaction design to create meaningful connections between people with physical or cognitive impairment and their caregivers. (Startup and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • Kepler Vision: AI-powered sensor technology that recognizes falls in elderly care within less than one minute; the most reliable fall detection technology in healthcare. (Scale-up)
  • Moovd: Bridges the gap between the growing (digital) healthcare needs of patients who don’t have therapists and the lack of psychologists. (Startup)
  • Neurocast: True, passive patient monitoring that provides doctors and researchers with 24/7 digital biomarkers for measuring patient performance based on real-world evidence. GDPR and HIPAA compliant and ISO 27001 certified. (Startup)
  • Nostics: Instant, accessible, reliable testing for viruses and bacteria, including the world’s smallest portable bacteria identification lab that uses cloud-based, machine learning algorithms to identify bacterial species in five minutes, without the need for expert users or expensive lab infrastructure. (Startup)
  • ​​NOWATCH: The world’s first ‘Awareable’ – a wrist-worn health device and app that combines bio-tracking with mindfulness and real-time feedback about movement, sleep, stress and recovery tools to restore balance faster and help you live in the NOW. (Startup)
  • SmartQare: Medical 24/7 monitoring solution for data-driven clinical decision support in remote patient care. (Startup)
  • SOVN: In-ear wearable that detects and reduces excessive teeth grinding and clenching. (Startup and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • TrueKinetix: Invented and launched the world’s first robotic smart bike. (Scale-up and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • VRelax: Scientifically-validated virtual reality app to relieve stress and improve mental health. (Startup)

AR/VR:

  • Dimenco: Simulated Reality (SR) display technology that allows you to experience virtual 3D objects in your own environment — without the use of glasses or other wearables. (Scale-up)
  • Xinaps: Deliver cloud-based solutions for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry to improve the quality of building data and contribute to a more efficient and simpler building process. (Startup)

SMART CITIES AND SMART MOBILITY:

  • Hydraloop: Integrating clean tech, decentralized water recycling solutions in residential and commercial real estate to solve a growing worldwide scarcity of freshwater supply. (Scale-up and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • Squad Mobility: The world’s first Solar City Car for sharing and private use. The ultimate smart urban mobility solution for emissions, congestion and parking. (Scale-up)
  • Trunkrs: Same and next-day delivery service striving for 100% emission-free delivery. (Scale-up)

5G, IOT, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPACE:

  • Capestone: One-stop-shop distributor and service provider of 5G, IoT and AR hardware and connectivity. (Scale-up)
  • Dexper Digital Events: VOD platform that streamlines hosting world-class digital events. (Scale-up)
  • Homey: Unifies all smart home products in a single smart home hub. (Scale-up)
  • InPhocal: A unique, concentric laser beam that reduces the need for ink and is 2.5 times faster than printing. (Startup)
  • Livery Video: an irresistibly fun, shoppable and engaging video platform for businesses, media and influencers. (Startup)
  • Nuwa: A magical new way to write digitally. Groundbreaking camera system for stunning details. Powered by the world’s most efficient 5 mm chip. (Startup)
  • Occam Dx: A disruptive, real-time, accurate diagnostic platform using simple nanoelectronics that can detect a single virus particle. (Startup)
  • SODAQ: Durable tracking and sensing solutions, producing solar-powered IoT hardware for enterprise-sized deployments. (Scale-up)
  • Tradecast: The Tradecast Video Management System brings industry-leading tools to every content owner looking to become an independent broadcaster. (Scale-up)
  • Whispp: AI-powered speech technology that converts whispered speech into the person’s natural voice, wíth the intonation and emotion you intended, in real time. (Startup)

NANOTECHNOLOGY, SENSORS, DRONES AND ROBOTS:

  • Addoptics: Scale prototyping and production with affordable, industrial-quality optics. (Scale-up)
  • MantiSpectra: NIR (Near Infrared) spectroscopy on a miniaturized spectral chip that can accurately measure material properties in real-time using just light. Enables portable NIR spectroscopy. (Startup)
  • Morphotonics: Nanotechnology for micro and nano-scale surfaces for nextgen mobile device screens, immersive AR glasses, higher efficiency solar panels and high-accuracy sensors. (Scale-up)
  • Sorama: Ground-breaking acoustic cameras used globally within OEM and R&D acoustic, design departments, noise reduction, smart cities, smart stadiums and industrial inspection. (Scale-up)
  • Starnus Technology: Developers of a highly flexible autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solution, which allows third-party logistics (3PL) companies to deal with their rapidly changing operations. (Startup)

AI, BIG DATA, BLOCKCHAIN AND SECURITY:

  • BrainCreators: AI-powered digital inspector. (Scale-up)
  • Bubl Cloud: Restarting privacy safe innovation on personal data, by enabling innovators to create privacy-safe services in the cloud. (Startup)
  • IntrinsicID: Provider of security IP for embedded systems based on Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF) technology. (Scale-up)
  • Naya: Develops an ecosystem that empowers digital creators. Naya Create is a modular keyboard that increases efficiency, flexibility and health. (Startup)
  • TokenMe: Breakthrough construction-monitoring solution, improving productivity, safety and security using mobile sensors, AI and real-time dashboard. (Startup and CES Innovation Award Honoree)

QUANTUM COMPUTING AND INTEGRATED PHOTONICS:

  • Quix Quantum: The world’s most powerful Quantum Photonic Processor for photonic quantum computing and information processing. (Scale-up)
  • Sencure: Medical device company that develops high-end chips and medical wearables to accelerate and improve remote-patient monitoring. (Startup)

EDTECH:

  • RobotWise: Interactive, gamified programs for talent development with social robots as a tool, for schools and organizations. (Startup)

ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS:

  • Budget2Pay: A B2B digital platform that connects supply and demand together in a paperless world. (Startup)
  • UpMarqt: Accurately matches businesses with freelance talent within minutes. (Startup)

FUTURE OF WORK:

  • BUBTY: Flexible workforce management in a single system. (Startup)
  • DialogueTrainer: Nexten simulation platform for conversation training. (Scale-up and CES Innovation Award Honoree)
  • EZ Factory: SaaS-based platform for optimizing operational effectiveness and efficiency of factory floor operations. (Scale-up)
  • WorkBoost: WorkBoost app and dashboard are a micro-activation and feedback software system designed to provide managers, consultants and coaches the necessary insights to maximize engagement. (Startup and CES Innovation Award Honoree)

Interested media and analysts who want to schedule an interview before or during CES 2023, please contact NLatCES2023@wearemgp.com.

About The Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Netherlands strives to solve societal and economic challenges with local and international partners. The country ranks sixth on the Global Innovation Index, and Amsterdam is one of the fastest growing ecosystems in Europe. As a trading nation, the Netherlands has continuously ranked as one of the top five foreign investors in the U.S. for multiple years, making the Netherlands the number one country with which the U.S. maintains a trade surplus. More than 955K jobs in the United States are the result of the strong economic relations with the Netherlands.

The Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco, in partnership with Holland in the Valley and the Dutch ecosystem in the San Francisco Bay Area, empowers Dutch entrepreneurs and talent to innovate and scale in the U.S. by offering a network, content and programs. Learn more at United States | Netherlandsandyou.nl.

See the article on Cision PRWeb

This Aquatic Robot Is Making a Meal Out of Marine Waste

RanMarine has created the world’s first autonomous marine robot. Utilizing drone technology, it can collect up to 500 kg of plastic waste and destructive biomass each day, harmoniously clearing up and monitoring our waters.

As WH Auden once said, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” Vital to all life on earth, our biosphere and everything living upon it would perish without it.

Despite water’s importance and our dependence on it, our continued pollution of it is putting this crucial resource at risk — our oceans are plagued by plastic to the tune of approximately 5.2 trillion macro and micro pieces, killing 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals each year; toxic algal blooms are becoming more frequent and deadly, with 400 marine dead zones worldwide; and contaminated water is killing an estimated 1.2 million people each year.

In an attempt to address the severity of the situation, Dutch tech startup RanMarine is on a mission to restore the marine environment to its natural state by cleaning up our waters. It has developed the world’s first marine robot specifically designed to eat marine waste and collect data on our polluted waterways. Inspired by the way in which whale sharks suck in food and filter out water, the company’s WasteShark autonomous surface vessel (ASV) is “taking a bite out of water pollution.”

The zero-emission WasteSharks use drone technology to vacuum up plastic waste and biomass. Each one can collect up to 500 kg of waste per day, with a battery capacity of 8 hours on one charge. They’re designed to be efficient, unobtrusive and harmonious with the environment.

“We are particularly proud of the fact that zero carbon is emitted while using the WasteShark,” RanMarine founder and CEO Richard Hardiman told Sustainable Brands®. “With batteries that can be charged from the local grid or powered by solar storage systems, the WasteShark leaves no oil slicks, emits no toxic fumes and is unobtrusive on the water. These attributes ensure that it is the perfect solution for working in environments where wildlife is present — it allows you to safely collect harmful biomass and waste remotely from the shore or quayside.”

The WasteSharks’ operational routes are predetermined by the user. They carry out these routes via GPS navigation and can return home at the end of their ‘shift.’ The manual WasteSharks are essentially drones that travel through water, rather than air. They use the same technology and camera systems as a typical flying drone — including a hand-held controller. The automated drones, on the other hand, use ROS software to manage the complexity of being autonomous and having to “think for themselves” whilst deployed.

Although a mission plan is set out by the user on our web portal, RanMarineConnect, the Sharks have to be able to navigate and avoid obstacles that may not have been there at the time of planning; typically these include moving boats, moored vessels or unplanned obstacles,” Hardiman explains. “Here, we use our own internal software to navigate the drone safely to make sure the WasteShark can still do its job without endangering or colliding with other vessels.”

Data collected from the WasteSharks is geo-tagged and time-stamped, providing an accurate picture of the water quality health within an area. This representation helps verify compliance with pollution regulations, identifies potential contaminants early to minimize the impact on the environment and creates cleaner aquatic environments.

Written by Scarlett Buckley and published in Substainable Brands

“The aquatic drones can also be configured with different sensors to help monitor temperature; depth; dissolved oxygen; turbidity; blue-green algae; crude, refined oils and more. Any data collected is immediately available for reporting and analysis through the WasteShark Data Portal,” Hardiman says.

The RanMarineConnect portal allows clients to upload collected data for their own research and analysis. In the future, the RanMarine team is hoping to develop a data-sharing platform between users; but this is still at a conceptual stage.

More than 40 WasteSharks have been deployed across the globe — including in Denmark, Singapore, the UK, US, Australia and South Korea. Some of WasteShark’s clients include well-known theme parks in Orlando; the Port of Houston, Texas; and United Nations projects in Lebanon.

Hardiman says RanMarine will launch a larger WasteShark in the next six months that is capable of removing 1 ton of waste in a single load; he anticipates it being commercially available by the end of the year.

“We are also developing a docking station which houses up to 5 WasteSharks at a time, empties their baskets automatically and recharges them,” he added, “making it a total autonomous solution where humans are only required for oversight.”

These drones are swallowing tonnes of plastic waste before it reaches the ocean

By Shivan Sarna  with AP
The WasteShark by RanMarine is designed to remove floating pollution such as plastics, algae and biomass from lakes, ponds, waterways and harbours. 

Millions of tonnes of plastic wind up in the ocean every year, killing plants and animals. That’s why companies around the world have developed novel devices to help reduce the ocean plastic problem.

Dutch company RanMarine has deployed several 157-centimetre wide aquatic drones called WasteSharks that capture rubbish and bring it back to land.

The drones can hold 160 litres of trash, floating plants and algae, according to RanMarine Technology.

The aquatic tech is inspired by the whale shark, which swims with its mouth wide open to capture prey.

“So, that’s why we have two pontoons, one on each side, so that the waste can come in from the front and it gets trapped in between the pontoons,” explains design engineer Tessa Despinic.

It’s crucial to scoop up the plastic before it reaches the large ocean expanse, says Nancy Wallace, director of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program.

“Once plastic or trash ends up in the ocean, it’s very hard to collect because it does break down. And so it gets smaller and smaller and it’s just hard to get out to our big open oceans and collect the trash there.

What other trash devices have been developed around the world?

The system is also easy to maintain as each mesh fence is angled to guide trash to a riverbank excavators pile it into dump trucks.

In Chennai, eight traps in the Cooum River scooped up 2,200 tonnes of plastic and 19,800 tonnes of other trash and floating plants in 2018, according to the company.

Then there’s the Osprey Initiative of Mobile, Alabama in the US. The company sets up floating traps on creeks, canals and rivers in the southeast of the country and trains local crews to deal with the waste they catch.

These plastic-gobbling devices are an attempt to curb an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic that enter the ocean every year.

“The most important thing with marine debris or plastic or trash in our ocean is we don’t want it there in the first place,” Wallace from the NOAA says.

“So while all of these devices are incredibly helpful, we really need to work on the upstream solutions of generating less waste from the consumer standpoint, but also the industry standpoint.”

Overall, Wallace adds, there are a lot of different players involved in solving the plastic waste problem.

5 Innovative Technologies Saving Our Oceans

Solutions for the seas.

In 2021, the Earth’s oceans reached their hottest, most acidic, and highest sea levels on record. Luckily, many companies and organizations are creating innovative technologies to save our oceans.

Planetary Technologies’ Ocean-Based Carbon Removal

Planetary Technologies is the first climate technology to remove carbon from the atmosphere by using direct ocean capture. Planetary’s proprietary technology safely purifies mine waste into a mild, nontoxic antacid that is released into the ocean. This antacid rapidly enhances and speeds up the ocean’s natural ability to draw out and permanently sequester carbon from the atmosphere. The additional alkalinity in the ocean also restores damage caused by increased acidification. 

Planetary Technologies' ocean-based carbon removal technology to save our oceans
Photo Credit: Planetary Technologies

Additionally, the purification of mining rock produces clean, green hydrogen as a byproduct, which can be used as a zero-carbon fuel source to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. If all of this wasn’t enough, Planetary’s three-pronged process also involves extracting metals from mining waste, which can be used in batteries. This is essential in promoting an electric-powered future.

In 2022, the company was awarded $1 million from Elon Musk’s XPRIZE Carbon Removal Milestone Award, which it plans on using to achieve a full-scale demonstration of its technology. As Planetary’s CEO Mike Kelland said, 

“The global community agrees that we need a three-pronged approach to stop the harmful effects of climate change – adapt, reduce emissions and remove carbon – and Planetary’s process does all three, the most critical being our ability to remove carbon dioxide form the air”

Clearbot’s Trash Clean Up and Data Collection

An estimated 11 million pounds of waste are put into our oceans each year. Clearbot is attempting to lower this number with its Clearbot boats. These electric-powered, AI-enabled, and autonomous boats tackle the challenges of plastics, flood debris, and biomass in waterways. 

For example, the three-meter-long Clearbot Neo autonomously collects floating garbage by systematically moving up and down designated sections of water. It skims the surface to scoop up floating trash onto its onboard conveyor belt and uses AI to recognize and log the types of trash collected. The trash is then properly disposed of based on its category. With 4 hours of battery life, Clearbot Neo allows a one-man team to deploy and capture hazardous and pollutant waste of up to 1-ton per day.   See video on https://youtu.be/u2bApYIbCmw

Using its two-camera detection system, Neo also collects valuable data. One camera surveys the water’s surface to avoid marine life, navigational hazards, and other vessels. The second camera photographs each piece of trash that lands on the conveyor belt and transmits its image and location to the company’s data compliance system, hosted by Microsoft’s Azure platform. When the data from these two cameras are merged with other information like sea current and tide, the trash’s source and the water’s quality are more easily identifiable. 

Saildrone’s Autonomous Vessels

Saildrone’s fleet of autonomous wind and solar-powered vessels collect real-time, high-quality data throughout the ocean. This data can be used to inform sustainable fisheries management, detect oil spills, conserve threatened species, map the seafloor, and help scientists understand how the climate is changing ocean ecosystems like coral reefs. 

The company’s wing technology enables a mission duration of up to 12 months; its wind propulsion system allows the vehicles to travel at an average speed between two to six knots under wind power. To date, Saildrone’s vehicles have sailed over 800,000 miles with over 18,000 days at sea with little to no carbon footprint.

Saildrone's Saildrone Surveyor innovative technology saving the oceans
Photo Credit: Saildrone

One of Saildrone’s vessels is the Saildrone Surveyor, which autonomously set sail in July 2021 from San Francisco to Honolulu. The Saildrone Surveyor was created for ocean mapping; its sensors look at underwater ecosystems and map the seafloor to a depth of 23,000 feet. Saildrone intends to map the entirety of Earth’s oceans in 10 years—80 percent of which is currently unmapped. Mapping the Earth’s oceans will help scientists understand climate change processes, the path and strength of tsunamis, and more. 

SafetyNet Technologies’ Selective Fishing Light

Over 9 million tonnes of bycatch are caught globally every year, negatively impacting fishermen, the marine ecosystem, marine biodiversity, and fish stock. In an attempt to lower this number, SafetyNet Technologies created Pisces, a kit of 10 LED lights that fit fishing gear to allow more precise fishing. As a result, users can adapt to regulations, avoid fines, and fish more sustainably.  See video on https://youtu.be/mcbNv_OhFkA

Pisces can be adapted in numerous ways depending on what color, intensity, and flash rate are used, allowing Pisces to work in multiple different fisheries. Its LED lights also significantly reduce bycatch by attracting some species of fish and scaring others away. As a result, Pisces can be adjusted to help catch more of your target species while reducing bycatch. 

SafetyNet Technologies also created CatchCam, a robust underwater camera that allows users to see their gear in action under the ocean. This gives users insights into how fish behave in nets and if their bycatch mitigation methods, like square mesh panels, are working.

RanMarine’s WasteShark

Created by RanMarine Technology, a robotic autonomy technology company, WasteShark is a small robotic device that removes floating waste, plastics, and harmful algae from the surface of the water. This autonomous surface vessel is emission-free and reduces the effects of plastic pollution on the Earth’s oceans. As WasteShark’s founder, Richard Hardiman told Tomorrow’s World Today,  

“Our purpose is to develop technology to make our world a more livable place and ease the pressure humans are adding to our fragile water resources and ecosystems.” 

The robot has 180 liters (47.5 gallons) of capacity, an 8-hour runtime, and can remove 1100 pounds of waste a day. Ran Marine’s DataShark can also collect live data to measure accurate water health quality. This vessel can monitor temperature, depth, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, blue-green algae, crude, refined oils, and more to identify potential contaminants early to minimize their impact on the environment. 

Photo Credit: RanMarine, WasteShark
Photo Credit: RanMarine, WasteShark

At the Consumer Electronics Show in 2022, RanMarine also introduced the SharkPod, which is the world’s first autonomous floating docking station for waste-clearing drones. This tool will be able to deploy, dock, and charge up to five WasteShark drones at one time, allowing for a twenty-four-hour autonomous solution to remove waste from the water. Together with WasteSharks, the SharkPod would be able to remove up to 100 tons of debris and waste per month. 

For more information on the world’s oceans, check out how Earth’s oceans have reached record acidity, temperature, and sea levels, Tomorrow’s World Today’s interview with a National Geographic artist about ocean conservation, NFT’s helping coral reefs, and coral reefs around the world. 

To read the article by Tomorrows World Today see this link

WasteShark, the world’s most popular shark, is ready for CES

CES has begun. The Netherlands is being represented there by fifty start-ups and twenty scale-ups. RanMarine is one of them.

About RanMarine

When Richard Hardiman, founder and CEO of RanMarine, saw two people on a boat fishing garbage out of the sea during his daily cup of coffee at the Port of Cape Town, he thought: this should be able to be done differently. So, WasteShark was born; a water drone that collects biomass and debris from the ocean’s surface. Almost six years later, the start-up is now preparing for the world’s largest tech trade fair: CES.

There are currently 26 WasteSharks sailing around the world in the most diverse of places. They keep the parks of Disney clean as well as harbors in Spain. And recently the United Nations also became a customer. Esther Lokhorst, COO at RanMarine, talks about the preparations for the CES trade fair and the company’s latest developments.

The WasteShark, what kind of shark is that exactly?

Esther Lokhorst, COO at RanMarine commented
“A really extraordinary one! It is a water drone modeled on the whale shark. The WasteShark does not disturb or threaten aquatic life, it is small (157 cm by 109 cm) and electric. This offers a lot of advantages. For instance, when it comes to clean-up boats, you have to clear the entire wharf before they can get to work. Our water drone is much more flexible and sails in between everything. In addition, the Shark can run for eight to ten hours on one battery and collect 500 kilograms of waste in a net attached to the bottom of the drone. They are all linked to our portal. Through that portal, customers plan the required route and GPS routes guide them to the right location. Lidar can also be added to increase the level of safety.”

But, the WasteShark can do more than just clean up, right?

“Yes, the drones are also capable of measuring data, such as pollution levels and the presence of algae. If there are enough of our sharks swimming around the world, that data will then become extremely interesting. We eventually plan to make that data available to governments and NGOs, so that we can fight pollution together.”

Over at the CES, you will be launching a new creation – the SharkPod. Tell us about it!

You have to see the SharkPod as a collection point where five WasteSharks can empty their trash. The Pod also enables the Sharks to communicate with and support each other. We are also working on the OilShark, which skims oil off the surface of the water, as well as the four-by-two-meter MegaShark. Whereas the WasteShark is designed for inland waters and coastal waters, the MegaShark can really venture out into the ocean.”

Where will RanMarine be in five years?

“Our ambition is to have drones in key, strategic locations across all continents around the world. In five years’ time, we will hopefully have offices in several different countries, including the United States. We are, and will remain, an engineering company. We are manufacturing the first series of new machines ourselves, but beyond that, we will outsource the manufacturing. I also think that by then we will have developed new technologies that respond to environmental problems, such as blue-green algae.”

You are attending CES this week – the largest technology trade fair in the world. Are you ready for the American onslaught that will be coming your way? 

“I’m curious, it’s the first time for us. The NL Mission has prepared us very well and we will bring a drone with us. We’re really looking forward to it, but at the same time we find it really exciting!”

What makes it so exciting?

“I think the fact that we don’t have a salesperson. So, we really have to do that ourselves. Sales is our biggest challenge in any event – I don’t think we have all the skills in house yet to market our drones through cold acquisitions. In that regard, CES and the preparation for it are actually extremely educational.”

CES will take place from 5 January to 8 January in Las Vegas.

Written by Aafke Eppinga 0f Innovation Origins NL on 6 January 2022

Read article on

NL: https://innovationorigins.com/nl/wasteshark-de-populairste-haai-ter-wereld-is-klaar-voor-ces/

EN: https://innovationorigins.com/en/wasteshark-the-worlds-most-popular-shark-is-ready-for-ces/