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Sentient Vision Systems demonstrated its AI-enabled ViDAR (visual detection and ranging) system onboard an Edge Autonomy VXE30 UAS recently, delivering wide area search capabilities for maritime operations.
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According to Sentient Vision, the system employs artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning with electro-optic and infrared sensors to detect points of interest.
It is hoped that the integration of the ViDAR on the UAS will enable better object detection across a range of mission profiles.
Sentient has nearly 4,500 systems currently deployed.
“The integration of ViDAR onto the VXE30 is an essential part of our UAS deployment program,” Joshua Stinson, Edge Autonomy’s chief growth officer, said.
“ViDAR’s passive detection system will further the VXE30’s capabilities to remain undetected in a contested environment while carrying a powerful maritime detection sensor that provides a real-time picture of the maritime domain. This capability could make all the difference in a mission’s success.”
The capability has been deployed since 2015 on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, maritime patrol and border protection missions.
Sentient explains that the capability is effective in a range of maritime weather conditions, including in rough waves up to six meters.
Just last year, Sentient launched its ViDAR Surface solution at the Indo-Pacific Expo in Sydney, with the solution designed to deliver autonomous surface surveillance by day and night.
According to the company, the system is able to autonomously detect, track, classify, and filter objects – all within a self-contained pod.
This includes ships, small boats, buoys, people, and aircraft which is billed to improve the situational awareness of the craft.
Sentient has confirmed that the ViDAR Surface is deployable across both maritime and land domains across crewed and uncrewed platforms.
“The unrelenting line-up of contract awards, customer demonstrations, backed by our heavyweight investment in R&D, exemplified by ViDAR Surface places the Melbourne- headquartered innovator in pole position to grow markets as well as its share of these markets,” Paul Harris, director of business development at Sentient Vision Systems, said.
“We are determined to remain the key driver of this technology set and its various applications across civilian and defence markets.”
