Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces $8M AI ROV Ship Modeling and Detection Project

For Immediate Release
September 12, 2024

(Montreal, Quebec) – Today at the ALL IN Conference in Montreal, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the AI ROV Ship Modeling and Detection Project led by Deep Trekker based in Kitchener, Ontario.

Using AI advanced technology, the project will revolutionize ship hull inspections. Deep Trekker Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) containing multiple cameras and sonars enable precise, real-time data collection, while Qii.AI’s algorithms and software analyze captured images to detect defects and other features. Sensor integration for positioning ensures reliable detection, even in challenging conditions. End users can expect a comprehensive data dashboard of the inspection, including a 3D model of features and defects, ability to derive video clips, sonar clips, and high-resolution photographs, as well as annotation capabilities.

The project is led by Deep Trekker in collaboration with Qii.AI, in Toronto, ON, The Department of National Defence, Kongsberg Discovery Canada Limited, in Port Coquitlam, BC, and ABS Canada in Ottawa, ON. With a total project value of $8,108,000 Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing $3,405,306 to the project.

The AI ROV Ship Modeling and Detection Project will provide significant benefits to Canada’s maritime industry, including increased safety, environmental protection, economic efficiency, and job creation. It will also further position Canada as a leader in technology innovation, increasing global competitiveness.


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Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca

Quotes
“Projects like this demonstrate how the Ocean Cluster is working with partners to advance competitiveness in the ocean industry through the use of innovative and responsible technologies in artificial intelligence (AI),” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “AI is one of the greatest technological transformations of our age, and through advances like this, Canada is leading the way.”

“Today we are proud to announce the AI ROV Ship Modeling and Detection Project led by Deep Trekker together with partners across the country.” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “By co-investing with industry in the important advancement of AI in the ocean sector, we are also contributing to advancements in ship modeling and detection as well as increased safety, environmental protection, economic efficiency, and job creation.”