Oil Skimming and Garbage Collection Robot with Bluetooth Control, Water Quality Monitoring

Abstract

Water pollution caused by oil spills and floating waste represents a persistent environmental challenge affecting aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Mechanical oil skimming remains one of the most reliable large-scale methods for recovering spilled oil from water surfaces, while embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have enabled real-time environmental monitoring and automation. This research presents the design and implementation of a low-cost Oil Skimming and Garbage Collection Robot based on the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, integrating Bluetooth-based remote control and water quality monitoring. The proposed system combines a pump-based oil skimming mechanism, a front-mounted mesh garbage collector, and turbidity and temperature sensors for environmental assessment. Bluetooth Low Energy communication ensures efficient wireless control and data transmission. The system is designed as a compact, energy-efficient, and scalable solution suitable for lakes, ponds, and industrial effluent zones. The integration of mechanical cleaning and IoT-based sensing addresses the limitations of existing standalone systems. Experimental results demonstrate effective debris removal, oil collection, and accurate sensor data transmission, validating the feasibility of the proposed hybrid approach.