MUMBAI, India, May 1 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641049614 A) filed by Dr. D. R. P. Rajarathnam; Paavai Engineering College; Mr. C. Vibin Stalin; Mr. R. Arunbabu; Akash Raj; S. Naren Kumar; K. Siva Kumar; Mr. S. Manikandan; Dr. Saumen Dhara; and Mr. D. Anandan, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, on April 18, for 'ai-driven river plastic debris detection and collection drone.'
Inventor(s) include Dr. D. R. P. Rajarathnam; Mr. C. Vibin Stalin; Mr. R. Arunbabu; Akash Raj; S. Naren Kumar; K. Siva Kumar; Mr. S. Manikandan; Dr. Saumen Dhara; and Mr. D. Anandan.
The application for the patent was published on May 1, under issue no. 18/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "The present invention discloses an intelligent and automated system titled AI-Driven River Plastic Debris Detection and Collection Drone, developed to address the growing environmental concern of plastic pollution in rivers and water bodies. The proposed system integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, Internet of Things (IoT), and autonomous robotic systems to enable efficient detection, monitoring, and removal of floating plastic waste. The invention comprises a high-resolution camera-based detection unit that continuously captures real-time images of the water surface. These images are processed using trained machine learning algorithms capable of accurately identifying and classifying plastic debris while distinguishing it from natural elements such as leaves or water reflections. A central microcontroller unit processes the detected data and controls the navigation, obstacle avoidance, and activation of the debris collection mechanism. The system is deployed on a drone or floating robotic platform equipped with propulsion motors, enabling both autonomous and manual navigation across water surfaces. Upon detection of plastic waste, an integrated collection mechanism-such as a conveyor system, net, or suction device-is activated to gather and store debris in an onboard container. The system is further supported by an IoT-based communication module that transmits real-time operational data, including location, system status, and waste collection metrics, to a remote monitoring dashboard. Additionally, the invention incorporates a hybrid energy management system consisting of batteries and super capacitors for efficient power storage and distribution. The system ensures continuous operation with optimized energy utilization and includes alert mechanisms for low battery and system errors. The proposed invention significantly improves the efficiency, safety, and scalability of river cleaning operations by reducing dependency on manual labor and enabling continuous environmental monitoring. It finds applications in river and lake cleaning, smart city waste management, environmental conservation, and research activities. Overall, the system provides a sustainable, cost-effective, and technologically advanced solution for mitigating plastic pollution and protecting aquatic ecosystems."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
