AquaSweep: A Student Innovation for Cleaner Water

Modified on Wednesday, April 16, 2026

What if the solution to visible pollution in our urban waterways came from an autonomous boat imagined by Montréal students?

That is precisely the bet behind AquaSweep, an intelligent vessel designed to clean the water’s surface where we live, walk, and relax every day: urban canals, rivers, lakes, and waterways.

Developed by a team of engineering students from Concordia University, this innovative project will soon come to life in the very heart of Montréal, at the Peel Basin of the Lachine Canal National Historic Site.

A concrete response to a problem too often ignored

Floating waste in urban waterways is everywhere, yet rarely visible on a large scale… until it breaks down into microplastics, contaminates ecosystems, and harms local wildlife.

Unlike large-scale ocean cleanup initiatives, AquaSweep takes a local, targeted, and sustainable approach, perfectly suited to the realities of highly frequented areas.

Its objective is clear: intercept waste before it becomes an irreversible problem, while respecting natural habitats and waterway users.

A stable and resilient structure

AquaSweep is built on a dual-hull catamaran configuration, measuring 1.5 metres in length. Reinforced fiberglass pontoons ensure stability and safety, while the interior, 3D-printed in thermoplastic and supported by aluminum frames, is divided into watertight compartments. The result: buoyancy is maintained even in the event of damage.

Two thrusters enable precise and safe manoeuvring: up to 5 km/h forward and 2 km/h in reverse. Their adjustable depth mounting ensures efficiency and protection in shallow water.

At the heart of the vessel, a conveyor belt inclined at 25°, installed between the two hulls, continuously intercepts floating debris. Made up of 48 3D‑printed slats, it allows water to drain away while efficiently directing debris toward a removable rear storage bin.

Two ultrasonic sensors monitor the fill level. When the bin is full, AquaSweep sends an alert and automatically returns to the dock, where the ground team empties and sorts the recovered waste.

Artificial intelligence in service of the environment

AquaSweep doesn’t just collect what floats. It thinks, analyzes, and acts.

The system operates in two phases:

1. Mapping: a camera scans the environment at 360° to identify areas with high waste density and plan an optimal route.
2. Targeted collection: using an artificial intelligence model, the vessel distinguishes waste from wildlife and potentially hazardous objects. 

A duck? A branch? A sensitive object? The system immediately stops and reverses the conveyor to avoid any undesirable interaction. Wildlife is protected at all times. 

Fully electric, AquaSweep is powered by two batteries providing approximately three hours of autonomy. Energy is intelligently distributed: propulsion, conveyor, sensors, and onboard computing systems each operate at their optimal voltage, maximizing overall efficiency. 

Do you have questions about this technology?

Contact the project team by email at the following address: aquasweep.info@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook @Aquasweep or Instagram @aquasweep_2026.