Pulse.ng : Deep Learning for Safer Waterways: Nigerian Researcher Pioneers Advanced Maritime Object Detection System

By Sani Idris-Abdulrahman

A Nigerian researcher is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technology to enhance maritime safety using the power of deep learning, Miss Ojonoka Erika Atawodi, a doctoral student in the United States with a strong academic foundation from Covenant University, Nigeria, is creating an innovative object recognition framework designed for autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs).

This research holds significant promise for Nigeria, a nation blessed with extensive waterways and a rapidly expanding maritime sector.

Miss Atawodis research delves into the complex challenge of enabling ASVs to automatically detect and recognize a variety of objects in the marine environment.

This capability is absolutely crucial for

preventing collisions, ensuring safe navigation, and facilitating autonomous operation.

To achieve this, she undertook the meticulous task of developing a specialized "Sea-object Image Dataset" (SID), a

comprehensive collection of images specifically curated for the project.

Leveraging the power of a pre-trained RetinaNet model, a powerful tool in object detection, she meticulously fine-tuned it using the SID dataset.

This process allowed the model to effectively identify and classify a range of objects

commonly encountered at sea, including buoys, ships, islands, piers, people in the water, waves, rocks, buildings, lighthouses, and even fish.

This comprehensive detection capability is vital for a variety

of maritime applications.

For Nigeria, with its extensive coastline bordering the Atlantic Ocean and a network of inland water

ways, this research is particularly pertinent.

Reliable and robust wireless communication is the linchpin for the effective deployment of ASVs.

Imagine the transformative potential of using this technology for a range of critical applications: monitoring vital pipelines that crisscross the Niger Delta, combating illegal fishing activities that threaten Nigeria's marine resources, or significantly improving navigation in bustling ports like Lagos, a major hub for international trade.

The development and deployment of robust wireless networks will be absolutely crucial for the successful implementation of such technologies, contributing to a safer, more secure, and more efficient maritime environment for Nigeria.

This pioneering research underscores the critical importance of investing in both advanced technological innovation and reliable, robust infrastructure to propel maritime operations in Nigeria into the future.