Design and Testing of a Water Surface Cleaning Robot

Water pollution caused by floating debris poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health, particularly in stagnant water bodies such as ponds and lakes. Traditional manual cleaning methods are often inefficient, labor-intensive, and ineffective for large-scale applications. To address these challenges, this paper presents the design and development of a water surface cleaning bot, aimed at providing a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution for debris removal. The system is powered by an Arduino Uno and incorporates a differential drive mechanism for navigation and a motor-driven conveyor belt for debris collection. The bot is using the GPS and ultrasonic sensors integrated to enable obstacle detection and location tracking, enhancing autonomous operation. The proposed design emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and real-time responsiveness. Through synchronized motor control and efficient power management, the bot offers reliable cleaning performance in small-scale water bodies. This work contributes to the ongoing development of automated water-cleaning systems by addressing limitations in mobility, user control, and cleaning efficiency, with potential for future upgrades toward full autonomy.