Robots Clean Waterways at the Port of Los Angeles

Dozens of robots are actively cleaning trash from the waterways at the Port of Los Angeles, working to remove debris and improve water quality across the region. These semi-autonomous vessels, developed by Clean Earth Rovers, operate like underwater vacuum cleaners, skimming the surface to collect waste before it spreads further into marine environments.

The robots are deployed twice a week and have already collected over a ton of trash in the last three months. Each unit can hold up to 200 pounds of debris per trip, which is then disposed of in local trash receptacles. Officials project that the fleet will remove approximately five tons of trash over the next nine months as part of an ongoing effort to address water pollution in the port complex.

Michael Arens, co-founder of Clean Earth Rovers, emphasized the dynamic nature of harbor waterways, noting that trash can shift quickly due to tides and currents. “These waterways are really dynamic so if you accept too long or you move too slow, sometimes you may have seen trash in one spot but by the time you acquire there it’s already moved to another location,” he said. The robots are remotely operated or follow pre-programmed paths to maximize coverage in marinas and docking areas.

Beyond waste removal, the robots collect environmental data during operations, helping track pollution trends and cleanup progress over time. This data supports long-term monitoring and informs broader waste reduction strategies.

The initiative reflects a growing use of robotics in environmental stewardship, combining automation with real-time response to tackle persistent challenges like plastic pollution and urban runoff in coastal ecosystems.

As the robots continue their rounds, port officials and environmental advocates encourage the public to reduce single-use plastics and dispose of waste responsibly, reminding communities that litter discarded inland often ends up in waterways and oceans.