Russian High Schooler Builds Smart Buoys for Water Quality Monitoring

A student-led team in Russia has created a low-cost, autonomous water monitoring buoy that rivals commercial systems costing millions.

A high school senior from Tver, Russia, has developed an innovative water quality monitoring system with the help of like-minded peers. Their invention is a compact buoy housing a full suite of sensors, a navigation module, and dedicated software.

According to the young inventor, the device activates at a depth of 30 centimeters. The smart buoy continuously tracks water temperature, pH, turbidity, and contamination levels. When abnormal readings are detected, the system sends an automatic alert to a lab, prompting specialists to perform a detailed on-site analysis.

The standout features of the Russian system are its autonomy and affordability. The buoy can operate independently for up to nine months, transmitting daily telemetry to a central server. Despite its modest cost of 40,000–60,000 rubles (around $520–$780), its capabilities match those of systems priced at nearly $65,000.

The project has already caught the attention of major organizations, including Rosatom-affiliated enterprises and environmental agencies. While initial trials are underway in still-water reservoirs, the team plans to adapt the system for use in rivers and marine environments.