Unveiling the Future: AI-ris by Sea Machines
Sea Machines' AI-ris, a cutting-edge collision avoidance system, is revolutionizing maritime navigation with its advanced computer vision and machine learning capabilities.
In a world where technology is redefining maritime navigation, Sea Machines introduces AI-ris, an advanced system that uses artificial intelligence to enhance situational awareness for boaters. This cutting-edge technology employs computer vision and machine learning to provide crucial collision-avoidance alerts, transforming the boating experience.
Imagine the scene: an 80-foot express cruiser named Atlantis sailing off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida, on a sunny Memorial Day weekend. Unexpectedly, it strikes a large metal marker, likely signposting a submerged dredge pipe. Despite the clear skies, a critical lapse in watchkeeping leads to this mishap, highlighting the necessity for advanced navigation systems like AI-ris, which could have prevented such an accident.
AI-ris, priced at $27,900, functions as a vigilant sentinel for all vessels over 33 feet. The system’s sophisticated technology allows it to detect, classify, geolocate, and track numerous targets using a custom model trained on millions of images. This deployment ensures that mariners are aware of potential dangers, even when cruising at fast speeds and under complex conditions.
The hardware consists of a daylight camera and a rugged black-box processor linked to a user-friendly touchscreen interface. This setup can integrate with popular multifunction displays from manufacturers like Furuno or Raymarine, provided there’s NMEA 2000 connectivity to access the vessel’s GPS/GNSS sensor. Enhanced by an optional thermal-imaging camera, the system has a remarkable 5-nautical-mile detection range, ensuring a robust level of safety.
Despite its prowess, AI-ris requires a daylight camera mounted at least 25 feet above the waterline for optimum performance. The system can identify various objects based on distance: a 13-foot object at 0.25 nautical miles, a mid-sized object at 1 mile, and larger vessels at 5 miles. The accuracy is heightened when 20 pixels can focus on a target, offering 99 to 100 percent accuracy.
One significant limitation is the requisite height for camera mounting, posing challenges for smaller yachts. Also, the camera’s 90-degree field leaves some vulnerability unless supplemented with AIS receivers or radar. Furthermore, it currently lacks the capability to autonomously take command of the autopilot to avert collisions. However, Sea Machines anticipates future releases will address these gaps, potentially enabling full autonomy for collision avoidance when combined with Rolls-Royce systems.
AI-ris represents a paradigm shift in maritime technology, with plans for updates that further enhance its safety features. Sea Machines actively gathers new data, updating the model’s capabilities annually to ensure cutting-edge operation. As the maritime industry embraces these innovations, AI-ris stands ready to support safer, more secure navigation for all seafarers.
