Did you know that your old phone can be transformed into a smart tool for monitoring and documenting marine life?
As part of “green economy” initiatives and recycling efforts, environmental researchers and engineers have begun repurposing outdated smartphones to track marine ecosystems.
Thanks to advances in marine research technologies, scientists can now better understand how marine creatures adapt to unique conditions — and how this resilience helps them survive in ever-changing, pressured environments. A recent study published in IEEE Pervasive Computing reveals that old phones can play a pivotal role in this process. They are now finding a new purpose as compact data hubs, shedding light on the hidden secrets of the deep blue.
Old Devices, New Life for a Greener Future
More than 1.2 billion smartphones are manufactured worldwide every year. Despite the high costs borne by consumers — and the significant environmental impact of producing these devices — their lifespan keeps shrinking. Most people tend to replace their phones every two to three years.
But instead of gathering dust in a drawer — or adding to the world’s growing mountain of electronic waste — discarded smartphones can be recycled and turned into a range of valuable green applications.
Hoober Flores, Associate Professor of Pervasive Computing at the University of Tartu in Estonia, puts it this way: “Innovation often doesn’t start with something new, but with a new way of thinking about the old — reimagining its role in shaping the future.”
In the same vein, Ulrich Norbisrath, Associate Professor of Software Engineering at the University of Tartu, adds: “Sustainability isn’t just about safeguarding the future; it’s about rethinking the present — where yesterday’s devices become tomorrow’s opportunities.”
How Are Old Smartphones Repurposed?
Transforming old smartphones into compact data hubs is surprisingly straightforward. According to a report by ScienceDaily, researchers first remove the phones’ batteries and replace them with external power sources — a step that helps minimize the risk of harmful chemicals leaking into the environment.
Next, they connect four phones together, encase them in custom 3D-printed shells and mounts, and turn them into a fully functional prototype ready for reuse.
Underwater Green Applications
The researchers’ prototype has already been tested underwater, where it was used to help monitor marine life by assisting in counting different species.
Traditionally, these tasks require a diver to record video footage and bring it back for analysis — but this prototype demonstrates the potential to automate the entire process right beneath the waves.
In this context, repurposing smartphones in this way is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to tackling the bigger issues of resource mining, energy-intensive production, and mounting electronic waste. Ultimately, we need to challenge our culture of overconsumption and shift toward a more circular model.
