Innovating for a Cleaner Planet!  

We are team of three passionate engineering students from lendi Institute of Engineering and Technology who love to build projects that make a real difference in the world. our goal is to use technology to solve everyday challenges, especially those affecting the environment.  

One of the biggest problems today is water pollution, and we wanted to take action. That’s why we built the Low-Cost Ocean Cleanup Drone, a smart and affordable drone designed to clean floating waste from water bodies efficiently.

               Our Journey in Building a Ocean Cleanup Drone 

Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste pollute our rivers, lakes, and oceans, harming marine life and the environment. Cleaning these water bodies manually is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. To tackle this issue, our team,  has designed and built a Low-Cost Ocean Cleanup Drone—a smart and affordable solution that collects floating waste efficiently.

In this blog post, we will take you through our journey of developing this drone, including the components we used, the step-by-step building process, testing, and the impact it can create. Whether you're an engineering student, an environmental enthusiast, or a DIY tech lover, this project will inspire you to innovate for a cleaner planet. Let's dive in!

Fig: construction of our Drone

                                 Main Body: Low-Cost Ocean Cleanup Drone

1. Problem Statement

Water pollution is a serious issue affecting marine life and human health. Plastic waste, bottles, and other debris float on the surface of lakes, rivers, and oceans, making it difficult to clean using traditional methods. Large-scale cleanup efforts require significant manpower and financial resources. To solve this, we have designed a Low-Cost Ocean Cleanup Drone that autonomously collects floating waste and disposes of it properly.

2. Objectives of the Project

The primary goals of our project are:

To develop an affordable drone that can efficiently collect floating waste.

To automate the process using a net-based collection system.

To ensure real-time monitoring using FPV (First-Person View) technology.

To create a user-friendly and energy-efficient solution for water cleanup.

3. Components Used

Our drone is built using cost-effective yet powerful components:

Flight Controller: APM 2.8 (for stable flight and automation)

ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers): 30A (for smooth motor control)

Motors: 1000KV brushless motors (for powerful lift)

Frame: F450 (lightweight and sturdy)

Propellers: 10×4.5 inch (to generate sufficient thrust)

Battery: 2200mAh LiPo (for long flight endurance)

Transmitter & Receiver: FlySky FS-i6 (for remote control)

Additional Functionalities

FPV Camera: LST-S2 FPV AIO (for live monitoring)

FPV Receiver: SKYDROID UVC Mini (for mobile live streaming)

Servo Motor: (for net-based waste collection system)

4. Working Principle

The drone operates in multiple phases:

Step 1: Takeoff and Navigation

The drone is manually or autonomously controlled using the FlySky FS-i6 transmitter.

GPS coordinates can be set in Mission Planner for semi-autonomous navigation.

Step 2: Waste Detection and Collection

The FPV camera provides live visuals to detect floating waste.

A servo-controlled net system is activated to lower the collection net into the water.

Once waste is collected, the net is lifted back up.

Step 3: Waste Disposal

The drone carries the waste to a designated disposal area.

The servo lowers the net to release the waste safely.

Step 4: Return and Landing

The drone returns to the starting point and lands safely.

5. Software and Configuration

We used ArduPilot and Mission Planner to configure the flight controller:

Step 1: Installing Mission Planner

Download and install Mission Planner on a PC.

https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Tools/MissionPlanner/MissionPlanner-latest.msi

Connect the APM 2.8 flight controller via USB.

Step 2: Firmware Setup

Choose the appropriate ArduCopter firmware for your drone.

Load the firmware onto the APM 2.8 board.

Step 3: Calibration

Accelerometer Calibration: Ensures stable flight.

Radio Calibration: Configures the transmitter and receiver.

Compass Calibration: Helps in GPS-based navigation.

Step 4: Flight Modes and Testing

Set different flight modes like Stabilize, AltHold, and Loiter for smooth operation.

Perform a small test flight to ensure stability.

6. Advantages of Our Ocean Cleanup Drone

Low Cost: Uses budget-friendly components.

Automation: Can operate with minimal manual intervention.

Real-Time Monitoring: FPV camera allows remote tracking of waste collection.

Eco-Friendly: Helps in keeping water bodies clean efficiently.

7. Challenges Faced

Balancing the payload weight while maintaining stability.

Tuning the flight controller for smooth operation over water.

Servo system integration with the net for waste collection.

8. Future Improvements

Adding AI-based waste detection to make collection fully autonomous.

Using solar-powered charging for increased battery life.

Implementing waterproofing solutions for better durability.

This main body explains everything from the problem, working, setup, and future improvements of your Low-Cost Ocean Cleanup Drone. You can copy and paste it into your blog and add images for a better presentation! Let me know if you need any modifications.

Components Used in the Low-Cost Ocean Cleanup Drone

To build an efficient and cost-effective Ocean Cleanup Drone, we carefully selected components that provide stability, power, and functionality while keeping costs low. These components can be divided into three categories:

1. Flight and Control System

2. Waste Collection System

3. Monitoring and Communication System

1. Flight and Control System

The flight system is responsible for lifting the drone, maintaining stability, and navigating through the water body. The core components of this system include:

(a) Flight Controller: APM 2.8

The APM 2.8 (ArduPilot Mega) is an open-source flight controller.

It enables autonomous and semi-autonomous flight modes using GPS.

Provides stability, altitude hold, and GPS-based navigation.

It supports Mission Planner, which allows the drone to be pre-programmed for automated cleanup routes.

(b) Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs): 30A

ESCs regulate power sent from the battery to the motors.

The 30A ESCs ensure smooth motor control without overheating.

They prevent sudden power surges, improving drone stability.

(c) Motors: 1000KV Brushless Motors

These high-torque motors provide efficient thrust and lift.

Brushless motors are used because they offer high efficiency, durability, and reliability.

The 1000KV rating ensures a good balance between power and speed for a stable flight.

(d) Frame: F450 Quadcopter Frame

The F450 frame is lightweight yet durable.

It has a built-in Power Distribution Board (PDB) for easy wiring of ESCs.

The quadcopter design provides excellent stability and weight distribution, which is essential for carrying collected waste.

(e) Propellers: 10×4.5 Inch

The 10×4.5-inch propellers generate sufficient thrust to lift the drone and its payload.

These propellers are well-balanced, reducing vibrations for stable flight.

They are made of durable plastic, making them lightweight and cost-effective.

(f) Battery: 2200mAh LiPo

The 2200mAh 3S LiPo battery provides adequate flight time.

It supplies stable voltage to the flight controller, ESCs, and motors.

LiPo batteries are lightweight and rechargeable, making them suitable for long-term use.

(g) Transmitter & Receiver: FlySky FS-i6

The FlySky FS-i6 is a 6-channel transmitter that allows manual control of the drone.

The receiver connects to the flight controller and ensures smooth communication between the pilot and the drone.

It has a long-range capability, making it ideal for remote cleanup operations.

2. Waste Collection System

This system is responsible for collecting floating waste from water surfaces and securely holding it until disposal.

(a) Servo Motor for Net System

A servo motor is used to lower and lift the waste collection net.

The servo is programmed to activate when floating debris is detected.

It ensures precise control over the net’s movement, reducing power consumption.

(b) Net-Based Collection Mechanism

A lightweight mesh net is attached to the bottom of the drone.

When activated, the net descends into the water, scooping up floating waste.

Once filled, the servo motor lifts the net back to a secure position for transportation.

(c) Waste Disposal Mechanism

Upon reaching a designated disposal area, the servo motor is triggered again.

The net opens or is lowered to release the collected waste safely.

This ensures efficient waste collection and disposal without manual intervention.

3. Monitoring and Communication System

To allow real-time tracking and control, the drone is equipped with an FPV (First-Person View) camera and receiver.

(a) FPV Camera: LST-S2 FPV AIO

The LST-S2 FPV AIO camera is mounted on the drone for live video transmission.

It helps the operator identify waste in real-time and navigate accordingly.

The camera operates on 5.8GHz frequency, ensuring a stable video feed with minimal interference.

(b) FPV Receiver: SKYDROID UVC Mini

The SKYDROID UVC Mini FPV receiver allows the pilot to view live footage on a mobile phone.

This USB-powered receiver is lightweight and easy to use.

It helps in identifying waste hotspots for better cleanup efficiency.

Why These Components Were Chosen?

Low Cost: All components are affordable and easily available.

Efficiency: Ensures smooth flight, precise control, and effective waste collection.

Durability: Designed to withstand water operations and minor crashes.

Real-Time Monitoring: FPV system allows the operator to track progress remotely.

Step-by-Step Assembly and Setup

1. Assembling the Frame & Motors

Fixed the 1000KV motors at the four ends of the F450 frame.

Screwed the motors securely to avoid vibrations.

Ensured that the motor orientation matched the quadcopter configuration (two CW and two CCW motors).

                 Fig: Motor to Frame

2. Connecting ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers)

Soldered 30A ESCs to the frame’s built-in Power Distribution Board (PDB).

Connected the three wires from each ESC to the corresponding motor.

Checked and ensured proper motor rotation using Mission Planner.

3. Wiring the Flight Controller (APM 2.8)

Connected the ESCs’ signal wires to the APM 2.8 flight controller’s PWM output pins (1-4).

Connected the FlySky FS-i6 receiver to APM 2.8 via the PPM or PWM inputs.

Used the power module to supply power to the flight controller.

        

    Fig :Connections from esc to apm module                  Fig:Connections from reciver to apm  module

4. Battery & Power Setup

Used a 2200mAh LiPo battery to provide power.

Connected the battery to the PDB through an XT60 connector.

Connected the power module to APM 2.8 for voltage and current monitoring.

5. Installing the FPV Camera & Receiver

Mounted the LST-S2 FPV AIO camera onto the drone’s frame.

Connected the camera to the SKYDROID UVC Mini FPV receiver for real-time video transmission.

Tested live FPV streaming on a mobile phone.

6. Implementing the Servo-Controlled Net System

Mounted a servo motor to control the net lifting and lowering mechanism.

Connected the servo to one of the PWM output channels on APM 2.8.

Configured a switch on the FlySky FS-i6 transmitter to operate the net system.

                                                                     Fig : Net connections

Software Setup in Mission Planner

1. Connecting APM 2.8 to Mission Planner

Installed Mission Planner software on a laptop.

Connected the flight controller using a USB cable.

Selected the correct COM port and established a connection.

2. Calibrating Sensors & Flight Controls

Accelerometer Calibration: Placed the drone on a flat surface and followed on-screen instructions.

Compass Calibration: Rotated the drone in different orientations for proper calibration.

Radio Calibration: Moved the sticks on the FlySky FS-i6 transmitter to register input movements.

3. Configuring Flight Modes

Set up different flight modes like Stabilize, AltHold, Loiter, and Auto for different operations.

Assigned switches on the FlySky FS-i6 transmitter to toggle between flight modes.

4. Setting Up Autonomous Missions

Defined waypoints in Mission Planner for autonomous navigation.

Uploaded the mission to APM 2.8 and tested it in a controlled environment.

5. Servo Net System Configuration

Assigned a PWM output channel for the servo in Mission Planner.

Configured the servo action using RC input switches.

Tested the servo to ensure proper net deployment and lifting.

Future Enhancements

AI-based waste detection using onboard cameras.

Solar-powered charging for extended mission time.

Larger collection capacity for industrial-level waste cleaning.

Conclusion

The Ocean Cleanup Drone is an innovative and low-cost solution for cleaning water bodies. With its autonomous navigation, servo-controlled net system, and live FPV feed, it is a promising approach to reducing water pollution.

Our team, Dream Makers, is proud to share this project and hopes to inspire more eco-friendly innovations in the future!

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