MBARI Provides Fresh Insights into Ocean Life with Aerial Drones

MBARI's growing fleet of aerial vehicles is gathering high-resolution, near-real-time data about the ocean that complements the information gathered by the institute's oceangoing robots Feature Article by MBARI

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Explore how MBARI is employing cutting-edge aerial drones to survey Monterey Bay, capturing high-resolution images of marine life and phenomena. This technology complements underwater research, advancing oceanic studies and conservation efforts.

MBARI’s advanced technology is transforming our understanding of the ocean. MBARI’s scientists are collaborating with engineers, creating diverse tools exploring Earth’s largest habitat. From submersibles to gliders, MBARI utilizes various technologies investigating waters from surface to seafloor. Now, research is aiming skyward.

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide valuable airborne perspectives on marine ecosystems. MBARI’s expanding drone fleet gathers high-resolution, near-real-time oceanic data complementing information from underwater robots.

MBARI UAV

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted with high-resolution cameras offer new perspectives on marine life and ocean phenomena. Image: Steven Haddock MBARI.

“The cameras on aerial drones give us a big-picture view of the ocean’s surface, including the signs of physical and biological processes that start deep underwater, such as upwelling. By combining aerial imagery, satellite information, and detailed measurements from MBARI’s underwater and surface vehicles, we can learn more about ocean health,” explained Tom O’Reilly, a senior software engineer on the team working on using UAVs for scientific research.

Weather permitting, bimonthly aerial surveys occur at specific Monterey Bay sites. Teams launch beach-based vehicles. Pilots plan missions, initiate takeoff, then autonomous surveys begin. Onboard cameras capture surface images as drones zigzag programmed routes offshore. Typical missions cover 25 kilometers, imaging 750,000 square meters. UAVs operate quietly, observing marine communities unobtrusively. Researchers coordinate with NOAA ensuring flight plans avoid disturbing wildlife. Upon completion, drones automatically return to predetermined landing spots. Afterwards, engineers download collected data for analysis.

MBARI UAV photo

A single high-resolution photo from one of MBARI’s UAVs can reveal several insights about marine communities.

For two years, MBARI has employed aerial drones surveying marine ecosystems off Davenport Landing, Terrace Point, New Brighton Beach, Seacliff State Beach, Moss Landing, and Monterey State Beach. These surveys have photographed diverse wildlife including gray whales, white sharks, bat rays, by-the-wind sailors, and moon jellies.

Regular aerial observations provide visual foundations for studying marine ecology, particularly population dynamics.

“The power of these aerial surveys is that in practically every image, we observe a wide diversity of life forms and even marine debris,” explained Senior Scientist Steven Haddock. “As our capabilities grow, we plan to survey across the entire Monterey Bay regularly. The imagery we collect can support a number of science and conservation projects, from tracking the movements of iconic marine wildlife to monitoring the health of coastal ecosystems.”

MBARI’s UAVs carry high-resolution cameras photographing objects as small as paperclips with remarkable detail. Flying 60 meters above water, vehicles take images every two seconds. During 20-minute surveys, approximately 400 photos are captured. Engineers combine these creating photomosaics processed using machine learning models. Despite centimeter-level precision, differentiating organisms within thousands of images remains challenging.

“AI has allowed us to assess and analyze the array of imaging data collected by MBARI’s fleet of uncrewed aerial vehicles more effectively,” said Senior Software Engineer Danelle Cline. “The machine learning models group images with similar objects, then our human experts look at the outliers.”

An AI program called Slicing Aided Hyper Inference (SAHI) assists object detection and classification. Researchers group similar organisms based on shared visual features, allowing quick SAHI model examination. This approach eliminates pre-labeled data training requirements, optimizing limited human resources. Increased model usage improves marine life and phenomena classification accuracy.

Whether airborne, surface-bound, or submerged, advanced technology provides comprehensive oceanic health insights.

Two-dimensional map of the ocean surface MBARI UAV

UAVs can provide a two-dimensional map of the ocean’s surface, allowing researchers to quickly find color fronts from the air. Once they find a location of interest, MBARI researchers can deploy other vehicles to take a closer look.

Satellites have long monitored global oceans. Space-based camera resolution typically covers hundreds of meters per pixel. Clouds obstruct views, while orbits and sensor characteristics create temporal gaps. UAVs avoid these limitations, flying below 100 meters and clouds, achieving approximately one-centimeter resolution per pixel. They rapidly deploy for short-lived events, although high winds or rain may restrict operations.

Aerial vehicles support various scientific applications. Researchers can identify upwelling regions bringing nutrient-rich water upwards, triggering plankton blooms. UAV images help locate interesting targets for detailed in-water sampling. Drones map ocean color fronts faster than underwater or surface vehicles. Upon finding intriguing locations, engineers program long-range autonomous underwater vehicles (LRAUVs) or Wave Gliders for closer examination.

Coordinated sampling using aerial vehicles alongside advanced underwater robots enables thorough investigation of oceanic processes. Together, they produce three-dimensional site analyses. Last year, researchers deployed UAVs with LRAUVs carrying Piscivore camera systems. Drone scouting improved Piscivore deployment for observing marine predators.

MBARI engineers continually innovate UAV program expansion.

New onboard technology will secure exceptions to current one-kilometer line-of-sight regulations, enabling further offshore operations. Additional payload development is underway. Future aerial vehicles may carry sensors measuring atmospheric particles and gases, crucial for studying marine ecology and ocean-climate connections. Incorporating onboard AI will allow autonomous detection and response to significant events like tracking whale pods or surveying thermal fronts.

MBARI researchers testing deploying robotic technologies

MBARI researchers have begun testing deploying two robotic technologies in tandem to get a more complete picture of life in the ocean. A UAV (left) scouted locations for further study with the long-range autonomous underwater vehicle (LRAUV) and Piscivore camera system (right). Image: Chris Wahl MBARI.

MBARI believes collaboration maximizes science and technology’s potential for oceanic understanding. The UAV Team explores partnerships with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and other local oceanographic research groups to develop more aerial vehicle applications.

“As MBARI’s uncrewed aerial vehicle program continues to grow, we’ll export our data and technology to scientists worldwide to facilitate their research and engineering efforts. We’re excited to help contribute to the research programs of various scientists and conservationists, whether they are interested in jellies, sharks, mammals, or kelp,” said Haddock.

Read the full article here, or visit the MBARI website to find out more.

Posted by Joe Connect & Contact

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