Meet Michael Arens and David Constantine: Deploying Robot Vacuums that Don’t Suck | Wave Makers

October 19, 2022

Tackling the plastic pollution problem at the shoreline!

This month on Wave Makers, host Tamara Kahn gets to speak with two young entrepreneurs who figured out that while they were passionate about tackling ocean plastics, they had to start by solving the issue a little upstream:  Michael Arens and David Constantine are two of the co-founders of Clean Earth Rovers, and they’ve developed a robot to help do that. This Blue tech startup is using their ‘Plastics Piranha’ to catch plastic and pollutants in harbors, marinas and other waterways BEFORE it gets to the open ocean.  

Hear how the team discovered they could also use their invention to address issues like red tides and assist in water data collection. These two Wave Makers are humbly overcoming challenges that many tech startups face and making partners in cleanup and awareness along the way.

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Read more about their recent San Francisco pilot project!   

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/plastic-pollution-san-pablo-17484525.php#photo-23005165

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https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/clean-earth-rover-electric-autonomous-robot-vacuums-trash-debris-from-bay-area-waterways/

Let Tamara know what you learn and what more you’d like to learn via LinkedIn or Instagram @LadyBlueTech

Rover in action
David Constantine
Michael Arens
Show Transcription
This transcription was generated by a computer. Please excuse any errors.
Tamara Kahn

Before diving into promoting the incredible innovations of the ocean and water industry, Tamara spent a decade ocean bound for weeks at a time, working with state-of-the-art geophysical sensors in some of the most challenging environments, the salty depths of the world’s oceans. She enjoyed managing projects with advanced technology and collaborating with a diverse workforce and clientele, but her international travels made her witness to some of the worst challenges facing humanity, from ocean pollution to water scarcity. She resolved to pivot her career into sustainability and ecological resilience. Since earning a Masters of Advanced Studies in Climate Science and Policy from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Tamara develops and facilitates programs that enable STEM students, researchers, policymakers, government officials and tech companies to form mutually beneficial partnerships, innovating and collaborating internationally towards sustainable solutions. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and contributes technical knowledge along with expertise in strategic collaboration and a zest for innovative thinking. Tamara is most happy near a body of water, relishes any chance to SCUBA and loves learning new languages and cultures.