Robotics: Razer and ClearBot Join Forces to Tackle Ocean Pollution

Razer has teamed up with ClearBot, a marine waste cleanup startup, to harness the power of AI and robotics in the fight against ocean pollution. This partnership was announced on World Oceans Day and forms part of Razer’s decade-long initiative, #GoGreenWithRazer, aimed at investing in environmentally and sustainably-focused startups.

Patricia Liu, Razer’s Chief of Staff, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with ClearBot, stating, “We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to work with a startup focused on saving the environment. ClearBot’s unique AI and advanced machine learning technology will enable governments and organizations globally to expand their sustainability initiatives. We encourage other innovative startups to connect with Razer for potential collaboration as we aim to create a safer world for future generations.”

Each year, approximately eight million metric tons of plastic find their way into the oceans, equivalent to around 17.6 billion pounds—or the weight of 57,000 blue whales. As plastics degrade into smaller fragments due to natural elements, they not only poison the marine environment but also infiltrate our food chain. Furthermore, hypoxic ‘dead’ zones—areas where oxygen levels are insufficient to support marine life—are proliferating. In 2004, scientists identified 146 of these zones; by 2008, that number had jumped to 405. One such dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico was recorded to be the size of New Jersey by 2017.

ClearBot’s team has developed robots equipped with AI-driven computer vision technology to locate and collect marine waste for responsible disposal. Sidhant Gupta, the CEO of ClearBot, noted, “The Razer team’s proactive stance on addressing marine waste challenges was very insightful. We appreciate the team’s willingness to volunteer for this project. With our new model, we’re confident we can scale our efforts to protect marine environments, beginning with partnerships with marine harbor operators in Asia and various NGOs.”

ClearBot is inviting the community to contribute images of plastic waste commonly found in open waters. These submissions will aid in refining the robot’s waste-detection AI algorithm. For more information about World Oceans Day, you can visit the United Nations’ website.

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