Our Floating Robot for Eliminating Debris, FRED, is being developed to tackle the pollution affecting our waterways. We are targeting FRED to pick up debris ranging in size from 3 centimeters to 2 feet. Sensors on FRED could also monitor water quality and perform underwater geographic mapping. While collecting debris, FRED will simultaneously record changes in the water quality over time and help predict impacts climate change or runoff pollution. Geographic mapping will provide valuable data for understanding and managing waterways.

FRED has been designed in multiple sizes: 16-foot prototype, two small-scale 6 foot prototypes, and mini prototypes to serve as scouts for mapping out the region before the larger FREDs move in. All FREDs are solar-powered and function independent from fossil fuels.