The City of Long Beach is stepping up its commitment to marine cleanliness with a remote-controlled, trash-collecting device, aptly dubbed the Jellyfishbot. This nifty robot is designed to skim the surface of marinas, scooping up to 100 pounds of debris in one go, and Long Beach officials are involving the younger generation in the battle against pollution by hosting a name and design contest for the Jellyfishbot, as reported by the City of Long Beach.
According to a press release published by the City of Long Beach, Mayor Rex Richardson expressed eagerness to see the device "hard at work in our waters donning the winning design from our youth art contest." The city has invited local youth to not only name the Jellyfishbot but also to design its appearance, with submissions being accepted through October 25. The initiative is part of a broader effort to fully engage the community and especially its younger members in environmental stewardship.
Detailed features of the Jellyfishbot include GPS for tracking and route planning, a live camera feed, and a collision avoidance system to prevent mishaps both above and below water. These technological advancements should allow a single staff member to operate the device, potentially reducing the resources needed for smaller-scale debris collection efforts that traditionally involved a crew and a boat.
As per KTLA, the Jellyfishbot launch is accompanied by additional investments by the City of Long Beach in its water quality improvement initiative, including a tractor-towed beach cleaner and a new trash interceptor slated to be placed in the Los Angeles River. These measures are part of the city’s fiscal 2025 budget and underscore its ongoing commitment to clean and safe waters for residents and wildlife alike.
To learn more about the Jellyfishbot or participate in the youth contest, interested individuals can visit the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine’s website or check their announcement for further details, the City of Long Beach noted.
