Next Generation Video Target Tracking

29 - 11 - 2022

Augmented capabilities due to advanced machine learning and AI capability
Enhanced target tracking performance in crowded scenes including automatic reacquisition
The burden on multifaceted operators is considerably reduced

Vision4ce, a Chess Dynamics brand, has today announced a next generation tracking feature for its CHARM Video Target Trackers product range. Incorporating machine learning and AI into the image processing of target tracking brings improved performance in complex scenarios, including automated acquisition and reacquisition of targets.

The software upgrade ensures reliable targeting of small agile targets such as drones/swarms, autonomous surface vessels, and jet skis without the need of intervention by the operator when a target becomes obscured or changes perception angle.

This capability extends to vehicles and people in crowded ground scenes as well as aircraft in the presence of cloud clutter.

John Thornton, Director of Image Processing at Vision4ce comments, ‘This is a significant capability enhancement for our customers. The CHARM tracker is now even more resilient, capable of maintaining robust tracks even with challenging targets, and provides enhanced adaptability to rapid changes of the target, augmenting an already impressive range of products.

‘This software upgrade showcases our commitment of the Vision4ce brand to continuously develop capabilities that both lengthen the life and augment the performance of customers’ products. Innovations that ultimately meet ever-evolving requirements,’

Machine Learning and AI for Improved Video Target Tracking

The Vision4ce CHARM product range offers video target tracking capability and meets different form factor requirements.

This new feature, for the CHARM 100 and CHARM 100 NX exploits AI-based methods to maintain tracks in complex scenes. This provides increased probability of reacquisition and reduced frequency of seduction by false targets due to improved bounding of the target.

Automatic target reacquisition removes the requirement for manual reacquisition following loss of a track to reduce the burden on the operator and simplify the target acquisition process.

Dynetics and DARPA X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) Program

30 - 06 - 2022

The success and innovation of the Dynetics team – which utilised Vision4ce’s CHARM100 video tracker – in the US-funded Gremlins program has been recognised by the National Aeronautic Association 2021 Robert J. Collier Trophy selection committee as a 2021 trophy finalist.

The Gremlins program, managed by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office, aimed to demonstrate aerial launch and recovery of multiple low-cost, reusable unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The technology, when proven, would in turn enable management of sensors in denied environments and also help reduce the risk to humans from potential threats.

Vision4ce’s CHARM100 video tracker technology was mounted in the Dynetics X-61A GAV to provide novel target detection and tracking techniques to assist the drone’s positionings during the final phases of the recovery operation. The CHARM100 capability was selected by Sierra Nevada Corporation, which is part of the Dynetics team, for its ability to offer high resolution, low latency image processing, video encoding and streaming to the GAV.

John Thornton, Director of Image Processing at Vision4ce said, “We’re extremely proud of the role that our technology has played in the Gremlins program, and how the success and innovation of the Dynetics team has been recognised by the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy selection committee.

“Being selected as a finalist for the Trophy clearly demonstrates the forward-thinking capability developed during the program, and the potential it offers to the aerospace domain. Our CHARM100 video tracker has a range of applications across all defence domains, and we look forward to developing its use and integration with UAS.”

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) celebrates significant achievements in aerospace annually through the Robert J. Collier Trophy. The award acknowledges “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.”

For more information on the CHARM100 video tracker technology please visit: https://www.vision4ce.com/products/video-tracking/