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

year-old Canadian Evan Budz built an AI-powered robot turtle that detects microplastics in water with 94% accuracy.

The robot uses an underwater 3D holographic imaging system and AI to identify microplastics directly in water.

Budz spent nearly 4,000 hours designing and refining the turtle, inspired by a snapping turtle seen during a family camping trip in Ontario's backcountry.

The invention won the Gordon E. Moore Award and a US$50,000 scholarship at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).