AI technology for safer browsing

The number of boat fishermen who have suffered an impact with a whale is very low. And yet, I am part of it. A few years ago, before dawn, a pod of undetected blue whales slept just below the surface, right in my path. A thud on the bottom of the boat shook my nerves. I pulled the throttle to check for damage. Everything was going well, but then I heard and finally saw in the gray light of dawn the blows of bellowing whales all around us. Mystery solved.

It was a glance. A direct hit could have broken the hull. I can only imagine that my little boat barely tickled the giant. But a larger, heavier craft, with a deeper draft, could have injured the whale.

In the coming years, systems using artificial intelligence may well eliminate whale strikes altogether and at the same time make general navigation safer. A great example of this exists today in the system called Lookout, capable of detecting dangers beyond the capacity of human senses.

Built by a team of leading AI researchers, video game developers, 3D designers and hardware engineers, Lookout uses a camera system in conjunction with advanced computer algorithms to detect and track marine hazards, such as other vessels, buoys, floating debris, swimmers and, yes, whales. It’s effective day or night, and its widespread implementation could help fend off federal restrictions on boat speeds meant to protect whales in waters off the East Coast and elsewhere.

Lookout uses NMEA 2000 data from chartplotters, AIS, radar and other sources to create a clear 3D augmented reality view on multifunction displays from leading brands including Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine and Simrad, as well as on smartphones.

“We live in an era where AI, augmented reality and spatial computing are transforming navigation and security,” said David Rose, CEO of Lookout. “Recreational boating stands to benefit from the same innovation we see in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

“Lookout integrates AI technology with an intuitive, aesthetic and beneficial software design, providing clarity, especially in challenging conditions like low light, fog and crowded ports. »

Augmented reality is not new to marine electronics. Raymarine has for years offered ClearCruise, which uses a stabilization module and a marine camera to turn its MFDs into augmented reality heads-up displays with color-coded legends and critical data that can be interpreted at a glance.

However, Lookout goes beyond recognizing objects that may not appear on a chart plotter, AIS or even radar. He can recognize the beak, fluke or back of a whale. It can also detect a floating log. The system can also learn when connected to an optional boat service with StarLink or another Internet connection that allows data crowdsourcing.

“Lookout’s sensing and data sharing capability is what boats need today,” said Todd Tally, general manager of Atlantic Marine Electronics, a subsidiary of Viking Yachts. “Knowing when a nearby boat detects a floating log or whale is a game-changer. Like Waze, this system allows you to monitor the water with eyes, ensuring everyone’s safety.

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The Lookout system includes an AI-optimized three-in-one camera system ($3,995) with infrared night vision, high-resolution daylight zoom, and 360-degree views for docking. Boaters can choose from two processors, both powered by NVIDIA technology to handle multiple data streams and create an intuitive augmented reality view. The Lookout Brain costs $4,995; The Brain Pro costs $9,995 and offers higher frame rates and resolution to detect smaller, more distant targets.

If AI is a controversial and worrying subject, the idea of ​​limiting the speed of boats in the ocean to protect whales is just as much. Perhaps if systems like Lookout allow fishermen to continue operating their boats at decent speeds, they will be much more likely to say “yes, yes” to AI.