HORIZON · ONBOARD MARITIME VISION
Put vessel detection on board
A camera feed becomes more useful when an operator can find the vessel observations that matter. HORIZON is the NAUTILUS module for local vessel detection, time-stamped observation records and camera-based bearing estimates.
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01 / HORIZON
Intelligence aboard the vessel
HORIZON places image processing on the vessel-side computer. This allows the communications link to carry selected observations rather than requiring every frame to be processed ashore. The camera, model and computing hardware are selected and tested together.
The pipeline acquires a frame, applies the model’s declared preprocessing, runs inference and returns detections to original-frame coordinates. Structured events can then be recorded locally and sent through WAVE according to the permitted data policy.
The operator receives a record that can be reviewed, shared and linked back to the camera and model that produced it.
02 / HORIZON
Detection with context
Each observation record identifies the camera, device, time, model, bounding box and supported object label. Bearing information includes its calibration and heading source. This lets a reviewer establish how the result was produced.
The first model baseline is vessel detection. More specific naval, military or civilian categories require an appropriate signed model bundle and separate evaluation. An uncertain observation remains an unknown or unverified observation rather than being presented as established identity.
03 / HORIZON
A bearing you can interpret
HORIZON estimates a horizontal relative bearing from the detection’s position in the original camera frame and the calibrated field of view. A signed mounting calibration accounts for camera yaw relative to the bow.
RECKON supplies time-matched true heading and its integrity evidence. An absolute bearing can be reported when those inputs are valid. Missing, stale or untrusted heading leaves the absolute value unavailable while retaining a useful relative observation.
The baseline is an approximate direction estimate. Range is not established by the initial camera pipeline, so target position and approach decisions require additional evidence.
04 / HORIZON
Models managed as controlled assets
The model manifest records weights, labels, tensor layout, normalisation, output interpretation, test results and licence provenance. Activation verifies signature, digest and compatibility before a model becomes active.
Controlled change matters when observations influence mission assessment. A recorded model version lets a reviewer understand which model produced an event and compare results against the relevant evaluation conditions.
05 / HORIZON
Evaluation that reflects the water
Maritime imagery changes with sea state, glare, weather, viewing angle, distance and apparent vessel size. HORIZON’s release evidence must describe those conditions, supported classes and the tested hardware and software configuration.
Precision, recall and class confusion are evaluated against separated datasets, with vessel identity or sequence separation as well as frame separation. Performance claims require reproducible results for the named model and deployment.
06 / HORIZON
Built to support human and software judgement
Observation does not itself grant vessel authority. HORIZON supplies evidence to the wider platform; COURSE can assess it within mission policy, and WATCH remains the independent control gate.
Operators get observations with enough context to judge their usefulness. Builders get a defined interface they can test before adding wider autonomy.
HORIZON is in development. Class support, processing rate and operating conditions will be established through the selected pilot and model evidence.