Long Beach looking for youth artwork and a name for its new 'Jellyfish' trash removal bot
The Jellyfishbot is a remote-controlled device that city workers will use to remove debris from city waterways. It just needs a name and some flair.
Long Beach has a new “Jellyfishbot” that it plans to use to remove debris from city waterways and it’s looking to the youth of the city to name the device that will be gobbling up trash starting this week.
The yet-to-be-named robot is remote controlled and will allow the city’s Parks, Recreation and Marine department to remove up to 100 pounds of debris out of ponds, lakes and marinas, preventing the debris from stagnating in city waterways.
Not only will one local youth get to name the jellyfishbot but the winner’s artwork will be displayed on the sides of the device, according to the city. The winner of the contest will also receive a $1,500 scholarship package, according to the city’s announcement Tuesday.
“The Jellyfishbot is an innovative resource that supports our commitment to environmental stewardship and ensuring our waters remain clean and beautiful all year round,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “I can’t wait to see this bot hard at work in our waters donning the winning design from our youth art contest.”
The device made its debut last month at the California Coastal Cleanup event hosted in the city.
Using the device could be a more cost-effective way to clean up debris because it will only require one city staff member to operate instead of multiple to drive a boat and fish out the trash, which is what the department previously did.
In the city’s recently adopted budget, Long Beach dedicated $1.8 million toward the purchase of a trash interceptor barge to prevent debris from the Los Angeles River from entering the city’s coastal waters, something that has become a source of repeated beach closures in the past.
To be eligible for the contest, contestants must be under 18 years old and their submissions may not be aided by artificial intelligence. Applications for the contest will be accepted through Oct. 25 and a winner will be selected on Nov. 8.
For more information about how to participate in the contest click here.
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