Marine Tactical Systems (Martac), Melborne, Fla., has integrated Sea.Ai’s maritime machine vision technology on its unmanned surface vessels, adding automated contact detection and classification for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, security and patrol missions.
The system combines optical and thermal cameras with artificial intelligence to identify vessels and floating objects in real time. Processing takes place at the sensor, producing information on contact type, heading and proximity without requiring an operator to continuously monitor video, according to Sea.Ai.
The companies announced the partnership Oct. 13. Martac selected the technology as part of its sensor integration architecture.
The system is designed to supplement radar and Automatic Identification System (AIS) information. Cameras can help identify contacts detected by radar and objects or vessels that are not transmitting AIS signals. Processing imagery aboard the vessel also provides information for operations beyond an operator’s visual line of sight.
“Our platforms are built to carry whatever sensors the mission requires, and we evaluate every integration on one basis: does it make the vessel more operationally capable?” said Jim Harvey, Martac’s chief technology officer. “Sea.Ai’s machine vision, that classifies contacts autonomously and in real time, is a direct solution for closing a real gap. That is why it is on our platforms.”
The announcement follows an eight-day autonomous mission completed by Martac’s T38 Devil Ray off California in May. According to the release, the vessel operated without crew or escort more than 400 nautical miles offshore, encountering surface traffic and conditions reaching Sea State 5. The release did not specify whether Sea.Ai equipment was used during that mission.
Sea.Ai said its technology can detect people in the water, marine mammals, unlit vessels, small craft, containers and partially submerged debris during daytime and nighttime operations.
The company said more than 1,300 of its systems are in service worldwide across recreational, commercial and security applications, including vessel-mounted equipment and fixed installations.
