Joint research and testing of Integer’s passive perception systems aboard Chance Maritime’s autonomous vehicles
Photo: Teams from Chance Maritime Technologies and Integer Technologies celebrate the beginning of their collaboration in front of the MC-40 at Chance’s headquarters in Lafayette, L.A. (left to right) William Ard, Integer Autonomy Engineer; David Comeaux, Chance Maritime COO; Stuart Chance, Chance Maritime Founder and CEO; Dillon Helfers, Integer Director of Mission Autonomy; Michael Scherer, Chance Maritime CTO; and Benjamin Lee, Integer Program Manager.
Chance Maritime Technologies and Integer Technologies announce a collaboration to develop and deploy maritime perception systems on autonomous vehicles.
In laymen’s terms, this research work involves developing robotic eyes to guide robotic ships.
As commercial operators and the Navy increase their use of uncrewed and autonomous systems, reliable perception for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) remains a top technological priority. Reliable perception is critical for safe operations, including collision avoidance and navigation around other ships, buoys, shorelines, and even fishing gear and cargo containers that can foul a propeller.
Integer has developed a prototype system using electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) cameras and computer vision algorithms to create an AI-enabled camera system that allows for passive perception. This system can be used to augment, or in some cases, replace more common USV perception systems.
Typically, USVs achieve some level of perception using one or more radars, coupled with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and an Automatic Identification System (AIS). For the Navy, GPS and AIS are not always functional in contested environments, and the use of radars, even high-performance systems, emit an electromagnetic signature that may give away a platform’s position. By leveraging a passive EO/IR system, Navy and commercial operators have one more tool to augment navigation abilities.
The partnership of Integer with Chance Maritime includes placement of the passive perception prototype on Chance Maritime’s autonomous vessels for use and testing in real-world operations.
“Building strong partnerships on joint projects is core to who we are at Integer,” said Duke Hartman, CEO of Integer. “The team at Chance Maritime includes respected industry leaders who have developed a top tier fleet of customized, autonomous surface vessels. The combination of their vessels and our perception systems will accelerate tech development at both of our companies. As we expand our Gulf Coast presence, we couldn’t be more excited about this collaboration.”
Chance Maritime is based in Lafayette, L.A., and designs, builds, and operates long-endurance, high-power autonomous boats supporting field activities that include hydrographic surveys, ocean science, marine & fisheries research, and autonomous system development.
The USV fleet designed, built, and programmed by Chance Maritime Technologies in the USA features high-power and long-endurance robust boats capable of collecting complex ocean data for up to 90 days continuously. With unique features to support a variety of payloads, including moon pools, 19” racks, climate-controlled spaces, and active roll stabilization, Chance Maritime Technologies’ USV’s can host a large variety of sensors and effects that operate for long periods of time.
“Chance Maritime Technologies uses an advanced 360° perception suite to ensure safe operation beyond visual line of sight 24 hours a day at sea. We’re excited about this partnership to continue improving on the rapidly advancing sensor technologies available,” said Stuart Chance, CEO of Chance Maritime Technologies.
The collaboration between Chance Maritime Technologies and Integer was enabled by the recent opening of Integer’s newly established office on LSU’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge.
“Accelerating the adoption of new and promising technologies is ingrained in Louisiana and Gulf Coast culture. The offshore oil and gas industry is an innovation driver and has created an environment where solutions are tested, evaluated, and improved faster than anywhere else,” said Dillon Helfers, Director of Mission Autonomy and site lead for Integer’s LSU office.
“By working with companies like Chance Maritime and our university partners, we are better able to validate our research and transition laboratory experiments to real-world solutions that have a real impact — all while retaining and growing our workforce here in Louisiana,” said Helfers.
Stay tuned for a follow-up story featuring collaborative research between the teams at Chance Maritime and the LSU College of Engineering.
Photo: Chance Maritime Technologies USVs, such as the MC-29 pictured here, feature industry leading endurance and power that enable rapid and sustained collection of complex ocean data.
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