Dan Antion

BeBot – #WATWB

I’m going sneak in here with a short WATWB post. I saw this article (also available as a video on the same page) on Tuesday, and I knew I had to share it.

I am a general fan of technology, but I’m often of the opinion that technology has gone too far. Sometimes, we seem to do things because we can, without ever asking if we should. Then there is BeBot the Beach-cleaning Robot mentioned in this article.

The first thing I have to tell you about BeBot is that it looks like a cross between Wall-E and Eva. It’s a solar/battery powered, track-driven, sand sifting crawler that removes microplastics that sit beneath the top layer of otherwise clean looking sand.

According to one of the companies involved in the project,

“Unlike existing beach trash removal methods like sifting, the BeBot focuses on beaches that look relatively clean on the surface but may have a lot of microplastics sitting below the top layer. While the mechanical device sifts under the clean sand, it does so in a way that’s minimally disruptive to the landscape, unlike its bulkier counterparts.”

ThomasNet

It also pollutes less than its bulkier counterparts.

“Besides protecting the delicate ecosystems near the shoreline, BeBot is unique in that it runs on cleaner power like solar and batteries, compared to the diesel-powered tractors it intends to replace. And by trawling 4 inches below the top layer of sand, the device is able to grab and sift out tinier, settled items like cigarette butts or bottle caps.”

ThomasNet

The makers of BeBot have partnered with a company called 4ocean that creates bracelets using recycled plastics. The proceeds from those sales go to ocean trash removal projects. 4ocean is also a bit optimistic,

“According to 4ocean CEO Alex Schulze, hopefully seeing BeBot out there tirelessly sifting will remind people to live a more sustainable lifestyle and cut down on the amount of single-use plastic that they’re consuming.”  Well…maybe.

ThomasNet

The “We are the World” Blogfest continues, well into its third year. This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. Click HERE for more information, guidelines. Click HERE to visit the #WATWB Community Facebook page. Mary J. Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen are co-hosting this month.

  • Beach! There aren’t many places along the path where you can access the river.
  • “This looks like a nice beach.”
  • On the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 2nd highest number of views.
  • Beach
    Right now, this is the most popular photo I have on Flickr.
We need to keep beaches clean for everybody, not just humans

60 comments

  5. I too am a little concerned about the direction technology is taking. A little too AI. But if it can do what it says it can and help make our world a cleaner place then perhaps I need to get on board.

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  6. We have so many signs on our beaches, yet people totally disregard them. Aggravating. We have beach clean-up days where groups of people go out and pick up trash. Both amazing and disgusting what people leave behind that their fellow humans pick up so they can go back and do it all over again. I’ve seen 4ocean somewhere before. Anything they can do to help is very much appreciated. Good one, Dan.

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  8. Appreciate this post Dan. As much as I’m in favor of the BeBot to help get our beaches clean, what we need is something that will eliminate the slovenly ways and mindset of the human beings who think any surface that suits them is their trash can. These slobs throw their trash on the ground without a care in the world as to the harm they’re doing, and the good guys come along and pick it up by the ton. The good guys have become enablers for the slobs. But until we can re-program humans, the BeBot is a welcome picker upper!
    Ginger

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  11. Love this, Dan. I am cautious about some of the tech advances, but our poor oceans and beaches need saving and this sounds like a great start. Now if we could get away from batteries!

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  12. This is a wonderful invention, Dan. I’ve been on beaches where trash is far too prevalent and it makes me sad for the condition and angry that people are so careless and unconcerned about the beauty of where they are standing. The earth’s beauty is always in jeopardy by humans, so it’s only fair that humans come up with a solution to keep the beaches clean. Thanks for sharing the story for #WATWB and for giving me reason to look at bracelets with a purpose.

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    • I’m glad you like this story, Mary. It’s sad that we need such a thing, but I’m glad they invented it and that 4ocean has a decent use for the remnants BeBot finds.

      Thanks for co-hosting!

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  13. Great post! The BeBot looks like it will definitely help keep our beaches clean. Wish there weren’t a need, but I am thankful someone is stepping up to do something about it. Nice when technology uses its powers for good! 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this month and for being a part of #WATWB! Have a fantastic weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Be-Bot be good. Great post Dan thanks. I wonder if they can capture nurdles, very tiny microplastics. But anything that can make beaches safer for birds and humans is wonderful.

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  19. Great. I’m already on the verge of hiring a hitman to take out those 6 foot supermarket robots, and now we’ve got beach robots? Wall-E world is coming if we don’t start getting people to wake up and smell the microplastics.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. We use to camp twice a year at Hampton Beach. There would be enough trash on the beach that I usually walked with a plastic bag to pick it up. NH highways are pretty clean due to DOT and volunteers who pick up trash regularly. When we head south, the situation is reversed. NC and SC highways look like you are driving through a trash site, but the beaches are clean. I usually walk the beach Jan-Mar and would be surprised if I see three pieces of anything during that time. I wish there was a way to wake people up, but right now I can’t think of one so go Wall-E world.

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    • When Faith and I drove to Pittsburgh, we just put a small trash bag in the car with us. How hard is that? The idea of lowering the window and throwing something out is impossible for me to understand.

      Liked by 1 person

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  22. I LOVE the idea of BeBot on cleaner-looking beaches. So much plastic garbage out there… I get discouraged, but uplifted over these inventions. My 11 grands wear the 4ocean bracelets, a drop in the bucket, I know, but at least another generation is being educated.

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  23. I like this post, Dan. It would be preferable if the companies stopped using so much plastic, especially for food products and drinks, but this is better than nothing. Changing people who’ve been conditioned to be consumers back is going to be tough.

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  24. Hi Dan – this seems like a great invention … especially as it’s sifting 10cm/4″ below the surface. There are too many selfish people who litter with impunity … I always wonder what they do at their own homes. Our beaches and the town after a busy weekend send out ‘street cleaners’ immediately night starts falling … I particularly like your Ocean Bebot collecting the microplastics. There’s so much to do … thanks for letting us know about Be-Bot … and I love the photos – all the best to them – Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

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  25. I would love to see these along the beaches here in So Cal. We went to one of the Santa Monica beaches last week with our daughter and the grandkids…..beautiful beach and looks pristine until you settle in and the kids start digging in the sand…..microplastics and even slightly larger ones. The big stuff does get picked up, but the other still exists. great post!

    Liked by 1 person

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