Japanese MOL and SenseTime Japan Ltd. developed a new vessel image recognition and recording system, which deploys artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize surrounding vessels. The video shows the system’s installation for demonstration testing aboard the cruise ship “Nippon Maru” operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, Ltd. (MOPAS).
The system recognizes and automatically records vessels with high accuracy using a terminal equipped with a graphic processing unit (GPU) and ultrahigh-resolution cameras.
The image recognition technology, which can be used even at night or during other periods of poor visibility, can detect small vessels that are not recognizable by vessel automatic identification systems (AIS). (AIS regulations do not apply to ocean-going freighters of less than 300 gross tons and coastal vessels of less than 500 gross tons.)
As this system automatically records image data, MOL also plans to review the accumulated data and use it to further enhance the image recognition engine’s analysis accuracy.
MOL views advanced image recognition as an underlying technology needed for automated watch-keeping, as the company works to realize the autonomous smart ships of the future.
This is part of the company’s “Ishin Next – MOL Smart Ship Project,” launched in November 2016, which seeks to support safe operation and reduction of environmental impact by applying information and communications technology (ICT) to improve service quality and efficiency.
