At just 16 years old, Canadian student Evan Budds has developed an autonomous, AI-powered robotic turtle that could help scientists tackle one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental problems: microplastic pollution.
Inspired by the graceful swimming of a snapping turtle he encountered during a family camping trip, Budz spent nearly 4,000 hours designing and improving a robotic turtle equipped with a 3D underwater imaging system and artificial intelligence. His invention can detect microplastics directly in water with 94% accuracy, earning him the prestigious Gordon E. Moore Award and a $50,000 scholarship at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
how Ivan Budz has built an AI-powered robotic turtle to detect microplastics
Evan Budds’ journey began during a family camping trip in the Ontario backcountry in 2024, where he witnessed a turtle gliding effortlessly through the water. Fascinated by its smooth, energy-efficient movement, the 16-year-old decided to recreate the animal’s ability to swim using robotics. He spent about five months building the turtle-shaped robot before devoting another year to developing an underwater 3D imaging system and training artificial intelligence models capable of recognizing microplastics.
In total, Budz invested nearly 4,000 hours in the project, turning a nature-inspired idea into an award-winning environmental innovation.
Who is Evan Budds?
Evan Budds is a Canadian high school student with a passion for engineering, artificial intelligence, and environmental conservation. Since his childhood, he enjoyed exploring lakes and forests during camping trips with his family, which sparked his interest in freshwater ecosystems.
Over time, he became increasingly concerned about plastic pollution and decided to apply his robotics skills to help scientists monitor one of the world’s most persistent environmental threats.His work gained international recognition after winning one of the top prizes at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, one of the largest and most prestigious science competitions for high school students in the world.
Why did he choose a turtle for his robot?
Instead of designing a traditional underwater drone, Budds designed his invention in the shape of a turtle due to its natural aptitude for swimming. Turtles can travel long distances while using relatively little energy, making them ideal for long underwater missions.Another advantage is that turtles are common in many freshwater and marine environments. A turtle-shaped robot is less likely to disturb wildlife than a noisy mechanical vehicle.
Its spacious housing also provides enough space to carry scientific instruments such as cameras, sensors and on-board computers.
How does an AI-powered robotic turtle work?
A robot is an autonomous underwater vehicle capable of navigating without manual control. It follows pre-programmed search patterns while on-board algorithms regulate buoyancy, maintain depth and ensure stable movement through the water.A specially designed 3D imaging system was installed on top of the robot.
Instead of taking regular photos, it records 3D images of small particles suspended in water. These images are then analyzed by AI models trained by Budz to distinguish microplastics from natural particles and microscopic aquatic organisms.
How does the robot detect microplastics?
The AI-powered system can identify plastic particles as small as 10 microns, which is much thinner than a human hair. After capturing holograms, machine learning models classify particles based on their physical properties.By the time Budz presented the project at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the system had achieved 94% accuracy in distinguishing microplastics from other microscopic particles, demonstrating its potential as a practical environmental monitoring tool.
Why are microplastics a growing global problem?
Microplastics are small fragments of plastic less than five millimeters in diameter. They originate from broken down plastic waste, synthetic textiles, cosmetics and industrial products.
Because they are so small, they can spread through rivers, lakes and oceans and are extremely difficult to remove.According to the Ocean Conservancy, approximately 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans each year, affecting more than 1,300 marine species. Scientists have also discovered microplastics in drinking water, seafood, soil and even the human body, raising concerns about their long-term environmental and health impacts.
What challenges did Budz overcome?
The path to success involves many setbacks. During early tests in its grandparents’ swimming pool, the robot repeatedly sank instead of swimming. Budz noted that he acted “Like bricks” Because it could not regulate its depth or maintain buoyancy.Months of redesign followed as he improved the propulsion system, adjusted the robot’s balance, and improved its autonomous navigation software. He also consulted experts at the local aquarium to better understand the turtles’ movement and replicate it as accurately as possible.
Why could this technology change environmental monitoring?
Traditional methods for detecting microplastics typically require scientists to collect water samples and send them to specialized laboratories for analysis. This process can take several days and often requires expensive equipment and highly trained technicians.The Budz robot offers a different approach by analyzing water directly where it is collected. This technology could enable faster and more affordable monitoring in lakes, rivers and remote coastal areas where laboratory facilities are not available.
Awards won by the invention
In May 2026, Budz received the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. The honor included a $50,000 scholarship in recognition of research that has the potential to create meaningful benefits for society.The annual competition, organized by the Science Association and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, brought together more than 1,700 students from around the world and awarded more than $7 million in scholarships and prizes.
Evan Buds’ futuristic innovation
Budz plans to pursue higher education in science or engineering while continuing to improve his technology. He hopes his research will inspire further innovations in environmental monitoring and contribute to global efforts to tackle plastic pollution.Although the AI-powered robotic turtle is currently a research prototype, it demonstrates how robotics, artificial intelligence, and biomimicry can work together to solve real-world problems. Budz’s achievement also highlights the remarkable impact young innovators can have on some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
