Overview
IDM Solutions has successfully delivered a cutting-edge custom segmentation-based computer vision capability to empower our client with maritime superiority, fortified port security, and elevated domain awareness. Leveraging overhead drone-based imagery, our solution enables comprehensive maritime domain awareness by swiftly identifying and tracking maritime vessels, accurately mapping their wakes, and capturing crucial information such as vessel speed and direction of travel. With our advanced capability in place, our client gains a distinct advantage in effectively monitoring and safeguarding maritime environments.
Introduction
In today's rapidly evolving maritime landscape, maintaining maritime superiority, ensuring port security, and enhancing domain awareness are paramount for the United States Department of Defense (DoD), specifically the US Navy and US Coast Guard. As the complexities of modern threats continue to increase, it is crucial to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies to effectively track boats and their wakes. In this regard, the development and implementation of custom computer vision solutions offer significant advantages for achieving operational objectives and safeguarding our coastal regions.
Maritime Domain Awareness
Developing custom computer vision solutions allows for enhanced maritime domain awareness and port detection and protection. By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, these solutions can analyze vast amounts of data from various sources such as satellite imagery, aerial surveillance, and maritime sensors. This comprehensive analysis enables real-time monitoring of boat activities, identification of potential threats, and tracking of illicit or unauthorized vessels. The ability to accurately track boats and their wakes empowers naval forces to maintain a vigilant watch over territorial waters, identify suspicious behaviors, and take timely action to ensure maritime security. By integrating these solutions into existing surveillance systems, port authorities can enhance their ability to respond promptly to any security threats, mitigate risks, and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with computer vision algorithms can autonomously track and monitor boat movements over large areas. This technology enables the collection of valuable data, including vessel trajectories, patterns of life, and identification of potential threats. By integrating these solutions with existing ISR assets, such as maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned maritime systems, the DoD can enhance its situational awareness, improve response times, and gain a tactical advantage in maritime operations.
Maritime Vessel and Wake Detection and Tracking
IDM Solutions developed computer vision model for detection and tracking using the YOLOV8 architecture using a custom dataset that involved drone images of vessels in open ocean, under various environmental conditions, and in coastal port areas. IDM Solutions created the data pipeline to include data labeling and augmentations. The figure below depicts several examples of the results on a series of test images.