Meet Evan Budz: The 16-year-old Canadian who built an AI-powered robot turtle to detect microplastics with 94% accuracy

At just 16 years old, Canadian student Evan Budz has developed an autonomous AI-powered robot 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 refining a robotic turtle equipped with an underwater 3D holographic imaging system and artificial intelligence. His invention can detect microplastics directly in water with a reported 94% accuracy, earning him the prestigious Gordon E. Moore Award and a US$50,000 scholarship at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).How Evan Budz built an AI-powered robot turtle to detect microplasticsEvan Budz's journey began during a family camping trip in Ontario's backcountry in 2024, where he watched a snapping turtle glide effortlessly through the water. Fascinated by its smooth and energy-efficient movement, the 16-year-old decided to recreate the animal's swimming ability using robotics. He spent around five months building the turtle-shaped robot before dedicating another year to developing an underwate...