ABOUT NOUS
NOUS stands for ‘uNdersea visiOn sUrveillance System’ referencing the classical Greek word νους which relates to the mind, perception, and intelligence.
Our NOUS is an innovative prototype system that provides continuous video monitoring at depths up to -150m, giving 24/7 watch over an underwater area of interest. Symbiotically integrating Artificial Intelligence into the marine and diving industry, NOUS becomes your workforce underwater effectively monitoring object detection, image classification, site monitoring, and more.
FULLY AUTONOMOUS OPERATION:
NOUS was designed to operate in full autonomy, as self-powered and network-independent underwater system.
The NOUS underwater monitoring system is formed by a distributed underwater network of color cameras with interchangeable optics, selected according to project requirements, delivering continuous real-time video streams. Each camera operates on a micro-computing platform, providing local processing, control, and communication capabilities.
The system supports flexible power architectures, operating either through a shore-powered node hub with underwater-specific fail-safe design, or via an autonomous surface buoy equipped for independent energy and network access.
Each camera is enclosed within an individually engineered housing, optimized for long-term deployment at depth. Together with integrated lens port wiping mechanisms, motors, monitoring electronics, and multitasking software, NOUS enables reliable and efficient long-term underwater video streaming with minimal operational complexity.
CUSTOM-BUILT FOR YOUR PROJECT:
NOUS systems are designed and configured specifically for each deployment, based on the technical, environmental, and operational requirements of the project. Camera types, fields of view, power architecture, connectivity, and sensing capabilities are selected and integrated to match each use case. Contact the NOUS team to discuss a bespoke underwater monitoring system tailored to your needs.
FLEXIBLE POWER ARCHITECTURE:
When shore-based power is not available, NOUS can operate autonomously using photovoltaic energy. In remote locations or offshore deployments, power generation, energy storage, and network connectivity can be integrated into a surface buoy, enabling continuous operation of the underwater system without any land-based infrastructure.
INTEGRATED WEATHER MONITORING:
NOUS can be equipped with an on-site weather station, providing remote, real-time access to environmental conditions. All weather data are continuously recorded and stored, creating a historical dataset that supports long-term monitoring, analysis, and operational planning.
FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY & REAL-TIME DATA TRANSFER:
The NOUS system is designed to operate over a wide range of communication infrastructures. Real-time data transmission can be achieved through wired or wireless connections, including fiber-optic links, terrestrial internet, mobile networks, microwave antennas, or satellite communications, selected according to deployment requirements.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR UNDERWATER IMAGING:
The NOUS system applies neural network–based image processing to real-time video streams, enabling automated detection, classification, and tracking of objects of interest. AI models are trained using site-specific datasets or shared datasets, allowing the system to adapt to the characteristics of each underwater location and monitoring goal.
SOFTWARE PLATFORM & UTILITIES:
NOUS is supported by a comprehensive software platform that monitors system health and liveness, manages user access and privileges, and oversees data integrity. The platform supports automated backups of camera data, both locally and in the cloud, and provides event-based notifications to ensure timely awareness of system status and activity. Custom software modules can be developed to address project-specific operational or analytical requirements.
AI IN UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS:
NOUS integrates hydrophones to stream and record underwater sound in real time. Acoustic data are processed using neural networks and advanced signal-processing algorithms, enabling detection, classification, and analysis of acoustic events. By combining acoustic and video data, NOUS enhances source identification and interpretation, delivering more accurate and reliable monitoring results in complex underwater environments.
Future-focused underwater technology. From the seafloor to the sky.
