The aim of OTC-SMART is to develop an AI-controlled assistance software that combines autonomous hydroacoustic data acquisition with advanced analysis options. Applications in the maritime sector all have in common that they have to continuously collect and analyse information about the seabed for large areas over many years and at different quality levels. Traditional ship-based methods are very complex due to their dependence on a large number of influencing factors and require expert knowledge to collect and analyse seabed data, both in the configuration and operation of the measuring devices and in the analysis of the collected data. Much of the information that would be helpful for data collection is compiled after the data has been collected. This is particularly costly and leaves the full potential of such data largely unused due to the lack of real-time analyses.
Through integrated data processing, the new modular software application couples the control of the measuring platform, the sensors on it, and external data (such as weather data) in a flexible and manufacturer-independent manner. The aim is to significantly increase the performance of the measurement system by analysing the seabed and all influencing system and environmental parameters in real time and, in particular, to meet data quality requirements directly in the field.
The future use of AI-controlled assistance software on unmanned vehicles will enable the IOW to collect data more flexibly and efficiently. In particular, comprehensive habitat monitoring for the protection of marine biodiversity (MSFD, WFD, Habitats Directive, HELCOM) has been extremely rudimentary from a sedimentological perspective to date. Due to the high logistical, time and financial costs involved, regular data collection of sufficient quality using ship-based measuring systems has so far only been possible for very regional studies. Additional sensor technology will make it possible to react to events (e.g. storms) without any time delay. This will allow dynamic, ecosystem-relevant processes to be better understood. In particular, the IOW expects to use unmanned platforms to obtain information in shallow water areas that can no longer be navigated by research boats and ships.