Low Cost
Thermal Imaging

Innovation Shark Tank
08 Feburary 2018

Many solutions exist offering impressive night vision capabilities; unfortunately, their associated costs prevent widespread use.
With advances in IR sensor technology, low cost options are now available that may provide sufficient capability for specific scenarios.

08 FEB 2018

Innovation Shark Tank
Presentation

A live streaming video of the FLIR One mounted to a gimbal can be seen in the player directly below during the 08FEB18 presentation.


The following sections provide details on the proposed pilots to evaluate low cost thermal imaging options.

Pilot #1
Fixed Cameras

Mounting 6 fixed thermal camera ports with removable FLIR ONE cameras. A small onboard PC (i.e. Raspberry Pi, Android) would stitch images to form a 360 view video stream then piped to the SINS II.

Pilot #2
Gimbal

A suction cup attached, gimbal mounted FLIR ONE Pro camera connected to a small Android phone, streaming video via Wi-Fi to an onboard PC. The onboard PC identifies thermal signatures and alerts a boat crew member via screen shot on phone if a Person in the Water (PIW) is identified. Alternatively the PC could notify sector personnel of the possible PIW identification.

Pilot #4
IR + Lidar

Flir camera with Lidar range finder that, upon identification of a PIW, engages laser and calculates range & bearing. This information is passed on to a sector or boat crew member for adjudication.

These proposed pilots would provide improved vision in the following low light scenarios:

Man Overboard

Responding to the vicinity of a reported man overboard at night a boat crew member is able to scan and locate the individual.

Intrusion Detection

During an evening harbor patrol a boat crew member visually scans underneath a bridge to ensure no intruders are present and maintain security.

Towing Evolution

During a night towing evolution a boat crew member would like the ability to clearly see the other boats behavior so that they can keep the coxswain informed.

Harbor Patrol

During a harbor patrol, a boat crew member would like to know if a moored, heat shrink wrapped boat is occupied so they can provide accurate accountability of the dock.

Crew Multiplier

While conducting a search pattern for a person in the water, the boat crew is occupied with assigned duties. Streaming IR video from the boat allows sector personnel the assist visual scanning.

Boarding

While conducting a boarding an IR camera is used to ensure crew accountability and safe vessel operation.