The development of an open-source neural network by Yandex B2B Tech, Yandex School of Data Analysis, and Far Eastern Federal University marks a significant advancement in the fight against marine pollution. This technology, which has already proven effective in the South Kamchatka Federal Nature Reserve, is now being tested in the Arctic, showcasing its potential for global application. The neural network addresses the critical challenge of cleaning up remote coastal areas, where traditional methods fall short due to the inability to pre-determine the necessary resources for effective cleanup operations.
Marine pollution, particularly from plastics, poses a severe threat to ocean ecosystems, with over 11 million tons of plastic waste entering the oceans annually. The neural network's ability to automate waste detection and analysis not only streamlines the cleanup process but also offers a cost-effective alternative to outdated methods. During initial deployments, the technology enabled volunteer teams to remove 5 tons of waste four times faster than traditional methods, demonstrating its efficiency and potential for widespread adoption.
The neural network utilizes computer vision and semantic image segmentation to identify and categorize waste with over 80% accuracy. It then provides detailed mappings of waste locations, estimates the volume and weight of debris, and calculates the required workforce and equipment, optimizing logistics and reducing cleanup time and costs. This innovative approach is particularly valuable for ecologically sensitive zones worldwide, aligning with World Environment Day 2025's focus on ending plastic pollution.
With its codebase fully open-sourced and available for free, the neural network offers environmental agencies and volunteer organizations the opportunity to customize the tool for their specific needs, further enhancing its impact. As the project expands to include deployments in Far Eastern and Arctic national parks, the potential for this technology to revolutionize coastal cleanup efforts on a global scale becomes increasingly apparent.
