BlueNeuron

Nereides

BlueNeuron

Blue Intelligence for Green Solutions

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladesh

Nonprofit

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Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a critical global challenge, with over 11 million metric tons entering oceans each year—80% of which originates from rivers. In Bangladesh, heavily polluted rivers like the Buriganga and Karnaphuli contribute significantly to this crisis, affecting over 160 million people dependent on clean water, fisheries, and aquatic biodiversity. Once in the water, plastic sinks, fragments into microplastics, and harms marine life, ecosystems, and food chains. Conventional cleanup efforts are limited to surface-level collection or manual labor, failing to address submerged or seabed plastic. Additionally, data on underwater plastic density, water quality, and marine ecosystem health is scarce in the Global South. BlueNeuron addresses these challenges by deploying an AI-powered Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) that detects, collects, and maps plastic waste from any depth—while simultaneously monitoring water quality indicators. By integrating plastic recovery with circular economy practices, the collected plastic is upcycled into yarn for MSMEs, turning waste into opportunity. This solution directly addresses the root causes of plastic pollution, its invisible impact beneath the surface, and the lack of low-cost, scalable cleanup technologies for developing regions.

BlueNeuron is a low-cost, AI-powered underwater robot designed to detect, collect, and map plastic waste from rivers, lakes, and oceans. Unlike most plastic cleanup tools, it works at multiple depths—including the riverbed and seabed—not just at the surface. Using a waterproof camera and a trained object detection model (YOLOv5), it identifies plastic debris with over 97% accuracy and retrieves it using a built-in vacuum and arm-based system. BlueNeuron also monitors water quality by measuring pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. It sends geo-tagged data to help visualize pollution hotspots and support environmental monitoring. The collected plastic is processed and upcycled into yarn for use in sustainable textile production by local MSMEs, supporting a circular economy. It runs on solar-assisted battery power and can be operated remotely or autonomously, making it especially valuable for underserved communities with limited access to advanced cleanup technologies.

BlueNeuron serves two key populations: coastal and riverside communities vulnerable to plastic pollution and local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) seeking sustainable raw materials. In Bangladesh and many parts of the Global South, millions depend on rivers and coastal waters for fishing, transportation, and daily life. Yet these waterways are overwhelmed with submerged and floating plastic waste, leading to reduced fish stocks, waterborne diseases, and loss of biodiversity. These communities are often underserved by current cleanup technologies, which are either expensive, manual, or only target surface-level debris. BlueNeuron directly improves their environment by removing hard-to-reach plastic waste from surface to seabed, restoring aquatic health and improving water quality. It also generates open environmental data to help local authorities and researchers make informed decisions. At the same time, the solution supports MSMEs in the sustainable fashion and textile sectors by supplying them with recovered plastic to be upcycled into yarn and products like bags and jackets. This creates a new value chain rooted in environmental impact and local economic growth. By combining cleanup with livelihood opportunities, BlueNeuron offers both environmental and social benefits to communities that are most affected by and least equipped to tackle plastic pollution.