#Japan #Tokyo #Plastic Pollution #AI Software #River Monitoring

Groundbreaking AI Software for Monitoring River Plastic

In a significant technological advancement, Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ehime University, Japan NUS Co., and Wageningen University have collaborated to develop an innovative software that utilizes deep learning-based image analysis AI to detect, classify, and track plastic waste in rivers. This initiative aims to tackle the escalating issue of ocean plastic pollution by accurately monitoring how plastic flows from land to sea.

Traditionally, river monitoring relied heavily on visual observation, which not only required substantial effort but also posed safety risks during flooding conditions. The newly developed software automates the classification and tracking of plastic debris from video footage, enabling the calculation of plastic transportation volume efficiently. As a result, it significantly enhances the understanding of plastic discharges into marine environments and is expected to support future environmental policy formulation and evaluation.

The necessity for this technological solution stems from the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution. Accurate assessment of land-to-sea plastic flow is crucial, especially considering that rivers are major pathways for plastic waste. The 2019 G20 Osaka Summit endorsed the