Participatory Sensor Networks for Marine Navigation

The primary objective of this project is to improve awareness, safety and enjoyment for mariners in coastal and inland waters by the creation of a participatory sensor network (PSN) that facilitates sharing of marine observations with other mariners. We are adding a new degree of temporal fidelity to nautical charts and maps. The approach leverages volunteered geographic information to augment conventional marine navigation with timely updates of ephemeral features such as navigational hazards, and is driven by a community consisting of recreational boaters, recreational and commercial fishermen, and other marine professionals. A low cost zero-install optical sensor that uses machine learning to recognize a wide variety of marine objects assists in automatically reporting observations. The service we intend to offer is free to use for all mariners.