Aquall-E

A remote-operated aquatic device for safer water-surface waste collection

Role

Engineer

Industry

EnvTech · Climate & Sustiainability

Duration

1 year

Small ponds, lakes, and park reservoirs are often maintained manually. Volunteers and small crews skim debris with nets, working near unstable edges and contaminated water. The process is slow, repetitive, and sometimes unsafe.

Additionally, water pollution disrupts ecosystems and introduces toxins into the food chain — affecting both aquatic life and humans. Yet, small-scale water maintenance rarely has access to specialized tools.

How might we make small-scale water cleanup safer, more accessible, and more efficient for the people responsible for it?

To address this, we focused on four priorities:

Remote operation to minimize direct exposure to contaminated water
Efficient debris collection to reduce repeated trips
Stability under load, ensuring performance even with large amounts of waste
Affordability, so small communities and local organizations could realistically adopt it

Materials & Systems

Wood and sustainable foam shell reinforced with carbon fiber. Internal acrylic and steel frame with 3D-printed components. Battery and solar powered with dual rear thrusters. Motor-driven conveyor belt with cleats for debris collection.

Collection Mechanism CAD Drawing

Testing & Validation

Aquall-E was tested for structural, thermal, and fluid performance to ensure reliable operation in real-world conditions. Simulations confirmed stable operation under load, safe internal temperatures, and structural integrity during impact scenarios