As reefs globally face an uncertain future from a range of stressors the need to monitor these systems becomes more important, not only in Australia but across the tropics. Traditional methods are time and cost intensive and are not suitable for areas with marine pests such as sharks and crocodiles. ReefScan is a camera-based system that uses autonomous platforms and real time Machine Learning to deliver a scalable architecture supporting a new set of science-grade marine monitoring solutions.
ReefScan is a modular open architecture system based around industrial vision systems, real time machine learning capability and autonomous platforms including Autonomous Surface and Underwater Vehicles (ASV and AUV’s). The CoralAUV is a novel fully autonomous underwater vehicle targeted at deep water surveys similar to diver surveys. ReefScan-ASV is a bespoke 3m autonomous surface vessel targeting larger scale surveys such as Manta Tow equivalent surveys while ReefScan-Transom is a simple vessel mounted system. The ReefScan system is targeted at non-technical users such as Rangers, Traditional Owner groups, NGO’s and community groups. The systems pair with the AIMS Reef Cloud data analysis and reporting system to deliver an end-to-end solution for community-based data collection that delivers science-grade observations and insights.