Case Study: Sea Cleaning Water Drone Prototype
Who
Paula Buckley and Andrew Lee
Awarded
$2,450
In May 2017, Auckland couple Paula Buckley and Andrew Lee were awarded $5,000 to complete a sea cleaning water drone prototype. Both are green tech innovators - Paula is a product designer and Andrew has a design and marine technology background. In 2010 they decided to apply their combined talents to creating social and environmental good.
Since this time they have designed and self-funded a range of water craft prototypes, starting with models that can observe and diagnose what is happening in the water, and gradually adding restoration capacities such as rubbish removal.
GIFT funding enabled Paula and Andrew to refine an existing sea cleaning water drone they had built, which then became a new drone targeting pollution sources in estuaries and creeks. Both drones work by skimming surface water pollution such as rubbish and toxic algae. The latest black prototype has solar panels, is smarter than its predecessor, can operate better with greater articulation and rubbish capacity, but is heavier, requiring two people and a ute to transport and get it into water (see picture). The earlier yellow drone can access slightly smaller environments and is easier to transport.
Click here to view the latest drone in action.
“Our goal is to create designs that have a
high impact for humanity.”
The drones can respond effectively to environmental emergencies. In a lake or contained water body they can do a clean sweep of surface pollution autonomously, but they need an operator in the harbour due to maritime law. Their base capability is to deal with surface pollution, including small particles, with potential for a lot more capability with further design work. An attachable third hull has been designed to remove oil spills using a suction pump.
This project achieved its goal to complete a particular prototype, which has been tested rigorously in Henderson Creek and the inner Hauraki Gulf harbor, with promising results. Paula and Andrew would love to develop further design iterations, and to source people who can help take this technology to the next level.
The yellow protype created with the help of G.I.F.T funding, which then became the black prototype
They would like to apply this technology in New Zealand to removing algal bloom and highly contained water pollution. It could also be applied internationally.
Paula and Andrew both have full time jobs and do this design work in their garage at home in their ‘spare time’. They dream of developing Green-tech design solutions for the environment full time, and debate making this leap.
In this work they bring the disciplines of product design and marine technology together and are learning about how to marry aesthetics (look) and functionality (what a product can do), to create innovative solutions.
Paula and Andrew liked the relational and trust based model of GIFT and the flexible timeframe it allowed, also the provision of tailored support, including meeting with a lawyer around trademarking and patenting. GIFT partner KiwiNet facilitated the provision of this pro bono legal support, which was provided by Baldwins Intellectual Property.
The next step is to profile this technology, make connections with groups such as Sea Cleaners and seek support to develop it further. In case you missed it, watch the drone in action here. For more information about the project, contact: Andrew Lee at rov-net@slingshot.co.nz.