Tocaro Blue has introduced ApolloCore, a machine learning software solution designed to convert standard off-the-shelf marine cameras into high-performance perception systems for autonomous and defense vessels.
The software addresses the inherent challenges of using commercial-off-the-shelf point-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, which were originally designed for direct human operation rather than unmanned applications. By integrating with a vessel’s Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), ApolloCore actively stabilizes camera systems to maintain precise pointing and reliable perception even in rough sea states. This capability is essential for long-range observation and object tracking on medium and small Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs).
Beyond stabilization, the platform utilizes a specialized marine detection model trained on over 3.5 million images to classify multiple objects simultaneously, including over a dozen classes compliant with International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). This allows the system to distinguish between vessels, navigation markers, and debris, supporting both autonomous navigation and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. While the software features a native detection model, it also supports third-party models trained on custom datasets.
To provide a comprehensive view of the maritime environment, ApolloCore is designed to work in tandem with ProteusCore, the company’s radar processing software. This combination enables measurement-level sensor fusion where radar provides wide-area motion tracking and cameras provide visual identification. Fusing these data points creates a more precise perception stack, improving situational awareness and tracking confidence.
John Minor, CEO of Tocaro Blue, said, “Autonomous vessels don’t just need sensors. They need perception. With ApolloCore and ProteusCore, we’re building the software layer that enables vessels to interpret the world around them with the clarity and context of a human operator—and ultimately exceed it.”
The software is deployed as an executable application that runs directly on a vessel’s existing GPU hardware. It integrates through developer APIs tailored for autonomy and navigation systems, allowing defense integrators and USV builders to use it as a standalone camera perception tool or as part of a fused sensor network.
By delivering the software intelligence that enables vessels to understand and act on their environment, Tocaro Blue aims to provide the foundation for the next generation of autonomous and crewed maritime platforms. The launch of ApolloCore represents a significant step in the company’s mission to become a leading provider of maritime perception solutions as autonomy accelerates across commercial and defense operations.
