The Canadian Evan Budz, a secondary student from Burlington (Ontario), created arobotic turtle sous-marine bioniqueInspired by a serpentine turtle that was observed during a campsite. They are objective: to design an autonomous device capable of monitoring marine ecosystems without disturbing them.
« I want to protect the places that I am passionate about without damaging them, » says Budz, who named his invention BURT (Bionic Underwater Robotic Turtle).
Conception and operation
BURT imitates the cinematic of a marine turtle to see you:
- Quatre nageoires : the nagooires avant propulsent, les nageoires arrière stabilist et conductor.
- Acrylic body: housing electronic components and a Raspberry Pi micro-computer.
- Sensors and front camera: detect microplastics, invasive species and coral whitening.
- GPS and grille motif: allows you to sail without cables, unlike traditional submarine drones.
- Neutral float: obtained with an additional weight to reach greater depths.
- Autonomy: up to 8 hours with a lithium battery, extendable thanks to a solar panel.
Technological innovation
Budz used SolidWorks to design the parts in 3D and studied the locomotion of sea turtles in local aquariums. BURT nage at an average speed of 0.8 km/h, faithfully reproducing the natural movement.
De plus, le jeune a incorporated :
- Frontal lights for water troubles.
- Ultrasonic transducer to detect obstacles.
- Holographic imaging system which, with a neural network, class the tiny particles like the microplastics.
Evan Budz’s robotic turtle is designed to detect microplastics and invasive species in marine ecosystems.
Tests and results
The first tests were carried out in the pool of his grandparents, where he simulated coral reefs with 3D models. BURT succeeded in detecting the bleaching of the cors with an accuracy of 96%.
The next step will be to deploy the robot in real environments to check its performances at different depths and marine conditions.
Acknowledgements
The invention has already obtained prestigious prizes:
- First place at the Concours des Jeunes Scientifiques de l’Union Européenne (2025) in Latvia.
- Prize at the National Scientific Fair of Canada, where more than 25 000 students compete.
Vision future
Budz rêve de deploy une flotte de tortues robotiques pour surveillance les oceans:
- Whitening of corals.
- Invasive species.
- Microplastics and marine pollution.
Their project shows how biomimetic and artificial intelligence can be combined to create durable solutions that protect ecosystems without damaging them.
BURT is plus than a robot: it is an example of the way in which the creativity of young people can bring innovative tools to face the ecological threats of the XXIe siècle. Inspired by nature and sustained by technology, this invention opens the door to a future where marine conservation is made with respect and precision.
source : noticias ambientales
