Den Haag Employing ‘Jellyfishbot’ to Clean Historic Hofvijver
In a innovative move to maintain the cleanliness of the iconic Hofvijver, the municipality of Den Haag has introduced an unmanned, remotely operated cleaning robot, the ‘Jellyfishbot’. This electrically powered robot is designed to collect and remove waste from the historical body of water located near the Binnenhof.
Wethouder Robert Barker, commenting on the initiative, stated, "Unfortunately, too much waste still ends up in the Hofvijver, which has a negative impact on the water quality and the plant and animal life present. We’re committed to keeping this historic stretch of water in the heart of our city clean, and this innovative robot can make a significant contribution to that."
The Hofvijver, with depths rarely exceeding a meter, has long been a magnet for loose debris. In recent years, it has suffered from excessive unwanted algal growth, resulting in a green bloom on the surface of the water.
Previously, the city maintained the cleanliness of the Hofvijver by sending a diesel-powered boat with a crew once a week. However, with the introduction of the ‘Jellyfishbot’, the municipality hopes to kill several birds with one stone.
The bright yellow, electrical robot offers several advantages over its predecessor. Not only does it produce zero greenhouse gas emissions, but it is also much more maneuverable and can even recognize and collect tiny particles of litter. Equipped with underwater equipment, it can also map the bottom of the vijver and operate effectively in adverse weather conditions as it is controlled remotely.
Currently, the municipality is conducting a one-year trial with the ‘Jellyfishbot’. If successful, the robot could be expanded to other locations within the city. Local residents and visitors will have the opportunity to observe the robot’s progress in the coming months.
