Camera to assist low visibility surveillance
The Snapshot Spectral Imager for IR Surveillance (SEERS) project develops breakthrough approaches to imaging in the infrared domain.
The project is supported by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research programme for developing a multispectral imaging (MSI) platform targeted particularly at the surveillance of road tunnels and coastal areas in low visibility conditions.
SEERS aims to produce a modular, compact and cost effective snapshot spectral imaging system in the infrared domain, based on low cost, uncooled focal-plane arrays, and with embedded vision and cognitive fusion capabilities.
The project will run until 2018 and was created in recognition of growth in the market for the surveillance and monitoring of civil infrastructures. Cuts in defence spending have restricted the military sector and therefore the application for video equipment and services has become vastly recognised.
In total the market is expected to be worth USD 57.3bn (~€ 50bn) by 2020.
According to SEERS project data, the development process will involve the design of a suitable snapshot multispectral imager in the IR domain, followed by “an embedded approach to image reconstruction, cognitive image fusion, video pre-processing and event-driven operation”.
SEERS consortium members include Centro de Aplicaciones Láser (AIMEN), New Infrared Technologies (NIT), the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and Thales Italia.
Project co-ordinator Anton Garcia-Diaz of AIMEN, said: “The SEERS device is equipped with integrated computational imaging.
“It has no need for cooling and can process the images in real time, meaning key parts of processing are embedded within the device.
“The SEERS project aims to deliver MSI technology in an extended infrared domain at under €40,000, with improved persistence and gas identification capabilities.”
