Solar Powered RT-Bot: River Trash Collecting Robot

Abstract

Environmental activists are currently focusing on the issue of waste, particularly the waste found in river areas that eventually ends up in the ocean. To address the problem of floating waste in rivers, this paper presents the development of an RT-Bot, also known as the River Trash Bot. The research encompasses the design of a 3D model, integration of mechanical and electronic components, as well as testing and deployment. The primary objective of this robot is to collect garbage from water bodies or rivers using remote control. It utilizes a rechargeable battery powered by solar panels, promoting sustainable energy utilization. Experimental trials were conducted using three different types of propellers, and the Nets propellers demonstrated the highest accuracy in garbage collection compared to metal fishbone and plastic propellers. The results of this study indicate that the use of a propeller net improves the precision of garbage collection in comparison to both metal and fishbone. The robot has an operational capacity of approximately 1.4 hours. Furthermore, data obtained from the solar panels indicated that the highest voltage of 19.50 volts was recorded at 12:00 noon under hot weather conditions without clouds. The study conclusively demonstrates the robot’s effectiveness in collecting surface garbage in river environments.