The project started out with the definition of the user requirements, scenarios and target performance levels for the SafeShore system. At the same time, the legal framework was investigated.
As no single sensing modality is able to reach the required levels of performance, a multi-modal sensing solution was developed. For each of these sensing modalities, the necessary novel hardware and threat detection software was developed.
Within SafeShore, both a 2-dimensional laser detector and a 3-dimensional laser detector were developed. The 2-dimensional detector scans for threats on the sea surface, whereas the 3-dimensional detector is capable to detect airborne threats. It is worth noting that the 3-dimensional laser drone detector which has been developed in this project is the first one in the world.
Another sensing methodology developed within the SafeShore project is a passive radio detection system, that is able to localize radio-signal-emitting threats. An interesting aspect of this type of detection modality is that it delivers the opportunity to detect and localize at the same time both the threat agent and its remote operator.
An array of multiple microphones was developed as a third sensing modality within the SafeShore project. An advantage of the acoustics sensing technique is that it offers not only the opportunity to detect and localize the targets, but to an extent also to classify and identify the threat agents.
Finally, an entirely new electro-optical sensing platform was developed as a supportive sensing modality. This platform consists of a robust all-weather pan-tilt-zoom system with three integrated camera systems: a daylight camera, an infrared camera and a “gated” camera system that allows to see through fog. Novel video analytics algorithms were also developed that enable the fully automatic detection, classification and tracking of threat agents based on the camera data.
The most important work within the SafeShore project has therefore been the development of an intelligent data fusion algorithm that acts as the glue between all the SafeShore developments and makes sense of the very different sensor measurements and presents a globally consistent and correct interpretation of the state of the environment and threat agents present.
All SafeShore sensing modalities, hardware and software components were integrated in three mobile deployable platforms. In order to ensure that SafeShore provides a pan-European solution, the integrated sensor prototype platforms were validated in three “seas”: the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea to detect intruding drones, boats, crafts and swimmers. The results of these validation trials show that the SafeShore solution presents a viable complimentary threat detection modality to the classical RADAR-based solutions.
A business plan for the commercialization of SafeShore results was set up and work is currently being performed to enable to push the technology readiness level of the SafeShore integrated detector prototype from the current technology readiness level of 6 to the market. In parallel, multiple of the SafeShore individual sensing modalities are already on the way to commercialization, with patent applications under review concerning the SafeShore 3D LIDAR technology, the camera platform, the command and control system and the lenses.
The results of the project have been disseminated in controlled and regulated manner. The project website www.safeshore.eu is regularly updated. Dissemination is also done through social media channels, events, workshops, distribution and display of printed material, newsletters, publications and press media.
