Software students create ocean drone which collects waste, measures water acidity

Engineering students from information technology and design school iAcademy have created an ocean drone prototype which can collect waste on water.

Computer Science students who specialize in Software Engineering have come up with the mobile app-controlled and solar-supported drone.

The drone is also capable of detecting the water's pH level and emitting lime powder that helps to balance the acidity of the water through neutralization, creating a safer environment for various aquatic lifeforms.

The team consists of BS Computer Science majors Jean Michel Gabrielle Gomez, Allain Vincent Gaspar, Christian Gaspar, and Mel Ivan Magsino.

The school said the OCDRON is a creative, low-cost, and intelligent solution to the alarming problem of water pollution that is damaging the health of aquatic ecosystems, posing harm to humans through toxic and hazardous waste, and the contamination of clean and potable sources of water.

It added that the students were able to assemble the apparatus in less than 50 days with a ceiling budget of P25,000 to build a unit.

The group said the cost had been reduced exponentially compared to what was being offered in the market for ocean drones with only a single function.

"Similar prototypes already exist in other countries, but our competitive advantage is the additional functions aside from the waste collection, plus the minimal costs we have used to create a timely, efficient, and cutting-edge technology such as this,” the students said.

"Our peers who were tech industry experts were impressed beyond measure that our students were able to produce such a complex apparatus with minimal costs, noting they were still undergraduates,” Mitch Andaya, iAcademy School of Computing Dean, said.

“This makes our program an excellent training ground for individuals who are set to take on real-world challenges and we couldn't be more proud of this game-changing achievement,” Andaya added.  —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News