Archangel Imaging LTD. Public Funding

We will develop remote monitoring equipment for infrastructure security.

Project **GENIE** (GNSS Excluded Navigation Intelligent Enhancement) \[where GNSS is Global Navigation Satellite System\] will undertake research into Artificial Intelligence based visual navigation techniques to safely introduce AI into autopilot systems in representative environments. The project will demonstrate how an airborne platform can operate within normal flight and mission parameters in the absence of GNSS (typically GPS).

Surveillance of the United Kingdom's coastal, maritime environment is more important than ever. As an island nation and trading power, we must protect and secure the seas along our coastline. Fisheries, cargo, Search And Rescue and environmental protection alone combine to provide a significant challenge for available resources. These challenges are mirrored overseas contexts, including the challenging coastal areas of Africa. Project "SeaWatch" will provide a low-cost contribution to maritime surveillance, via an autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ("UAV") with a specially-adapted, AI-enabled 3D camera system. UAVAid and Archangel Imaging have combined to produce an innovative system designed with proven technology to deliver a significant uplift in capability and resources to the user. SeaWatch will be able to autonomously monitor vast areas of the sea, only reporting alerts for anomalies that are desired by the user. Using a UAV to search reduces cost, eliminates risk and makes better use of scarce human resources, but it has its own drawback: multiple studies show that one of the main failure mechanisms of using TV camera-based monitoring systems is human error in "spotting" the issue of interest. This project will design, develop and demonstrate a fully-integrated and fully-automatic system, specifically optimised for carrying out coastal maritime searches, using an extended development of an existing UAV platform, developed to operate in the challenging maritime environment, to conduct the physical search, coupled with an extended development of an existing artificial-intelligence based image processing system to identify issues of interest in the images and a new development in rapidly-deployable wireless networks to allow the system to be deployed quickly to any desired location. The system will integrate with AIS databases for vessel cross referencing to support automation of management and enforcement of coastal waters regulations. "SeaWatch" comprises an existing, proven UAV, provided by UAVAid, coupled to AI technology in the form of Archangel Imaging's algorithms & Cerebella mission management system, which can control numerous remote sensor systems at once and also their AI-enabled 3D cameras.

The modern world is dependent on the supply of mineral resources to provide the raw materials to meet, current and future needs for energy, manufacturing and construction industries and demands are increasing exponentially due to population growth, life expectancy and a more technologically-focused, digital world which requires sophisticated mineral products. The mining industry is committed to operating safely and reducing accident numbers, and it is increasingly migrating underground as surface deposits are exhausted. The underground environment is challenging due to: high rock stress, high temperatures, poor communications with surface, restricted access and lack of access to satellite positioning systems. The key risk in deep level mining is geotechnical because ground conditions are exacerbated by high stress at depth and the unpredictable nature of the blasting process on stress redistribution. It is essential to undertake disciplined geotechnical inspections of newly exposed rock after every blast, but it is well known that this process is dangerous, time-consuming and subject to human error. ARISE aims to implement autonomous surveys of geotechnical conditions during the normally unproductive period immediately after the blast when workers vacate the mine due to post-blasting fumes and seismic risk. The robotic platform will be used to: * Survey roof conditions in newly-blasted areas; * Monitor material flow in orepasses and extraction points, particularly mapping 'hangups' that can block orepasses. Mapping hangups from below is extremely dangerous for people; * Accurately map areas in 3D for reconciliation and design verification. ARISE will provide safety and financial benefits while not affecting the production cycle (operating in the shift change periods) and is therefore attractive for industrial roll-out. The project will develop the ARISE system as a commercial product. The ARISE system is an inspection robot for mining environment. Existing or COTS components are used where applicable and development within this project only focuses on electronics (on-board-computer) and sensors (vision, LIDAR). Sundance would develop the "ARISE-Kit" on-board computer and electronics to operate in harsh environments by using automotive graded parts. GMV will utilise its autonomy software but integrate a new set of visual sensing instruments using COTS cameras and develop an adjustable light array. MDA will loan an Obscurant-Penetrating (OPAL) LIDAR unit and aid in hardware and software integration activities. University of Exeter Camborne School of Mines will generate use cases and create risk assessment strategies that improve both safety and efficiency in underground production mining processes.

The Cerebella Remote Security Team (RST) project integrates a set of best-in-class technologies (AI cameras, drones, IoT sensors, human staff coordination) to deliver an end-to-end deployable solution, using the Cerebella human-machine teaming platform. Cerebella is a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform produced by Archangel Imaging Ltd, a RAI (Robotics & Artificial Intelligence) specialist based at Harwell Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. This project will demonstrate how AI based systems incorporating the very latest smart-sensor technology, can provide real benefits to UK business safety and security, integrating the best UK technology into human workflows. During the current COVID-19 crisis many business sites, such as technology and science parks that develop high value technology, are unattended for some or all of the time as staff are at home or otherwise unavailable to fulfil normal duties. An autonomous system combining robots and drones alongside human staff, responding to alerts AI powered cameras and IoT sensors, will demonstrate how cutting-edge RAI technology can increase business park safety and security. Robotics & Artificial Intelligence will be shown to reduce the likelihood of criminal activity including theft or disablement of expensive and difficult to replace specialist equipment. The Cerebella Remote Security Team (RST) will be readily deployable to locations in the UK. Robotic systems are able to harvest power for rechargeable batteries and provide alert messages to site security staff to allow human intervention as needed. Deterrent modules comprised of audible and visual warnings may be incorporated to deter and prevent unauthorised access to areas that are off-limits or unsafe for general access. This technology has previously found use in systems designed to detect and protect wildlife in remote settings, to increase security and safety on rail networks and to prevent theft from unattended buildings. Company description: Archangel Imaging is a SME (Small to Medium sized Enterprise) that specialises in advanced deployable machine vision systems, with power, communications and AI-enabled detection. Archangel Imaging is recognised for its expertise and focus on real, deployable capability for the end user. The company is an established supplier and partner of Network Rail, UK Ministry of Defence, several defence primes and specialist SMEs. The company is active in infrastructure security and safety monitoring (cable theft, rail safety and trespass prevention, oil and gas pipeline leakage detection etc.) with various bespoke equipment being deployed in the Middle East, South East Asia and Northern Europe. The company maintains capability in deployable devices (cameras and others), communications (various redundant means), visual AI and management user interfaces for command and control.

The ADAPT (Autonomous Detection And Prevention of Trespass) autonomous trespass defeat system is produced by partners Archangel Imaging Ltd, Mandar Solutions Ltd and E-Bound AVX Ltd. The ADAPT project will demonstrate how Artificial Intellignce (AI) based systems incorporating the latest sensor technology can make real benefits to railway platform safety and security. An autonomous sytem combining unintrusive ground and proximity sensors, coupled to verification from AI powered cameras, will demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can increase platform saftey and reduce the incidence of tresspass. The ADAPT standalone system is readily deployable to numerous locations, harvests power for its rechargeable batteries and provides alert messages to railway staff to allow human intervention. A deterrent system comprised of audible and visual warnings is incorporated into the system and is designed to deter and prevent incursions into areas that are either unsafe and/or off-limits to the general public. This technology has previously found use in systems designed to detect and protect wildlife in remote settings and to prevent theft from unattended buildings. Company descriptions follow: Archangel Imaging specialises in advanced deployable machine vision systems, with power, communications and AI-enabled detection. Archangel Imaging is recognised for its expertise and focus on real, deployable capability for the end user. The company is an established supplier and partner of UK Ministry of Defence and several defence primes and specialist SMEs. The company is active in infrastructure security and safety monitoring (cable theft, rail safety, oil and gas leakage detection etc.) with various bespoke equipment being deployed in the Middle East, South East Asia and Northern Europe. The company maintains capability in deployable devices (cameras and others), communications (various redundant means), visual AI and management user interfaces for command and control. Mandar Solutions works with organisations to deliver the right high quality wireless products and services between people, machines, and devices. Our customers are diverse but predominately active in Emergency Services, Exploration, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Transportation, and Utilities.The key personnel at Mandar Solutions have a long track record of delivering both standard and bespoke wireless products and services to industry and government. The company is building a reputation around creating innovative wireless solutions that deliver the highest levels of reliability and functionality. Mandar Solutions is developing and deploying a wide range of cost effective services across a range of bespoke and standard wireless technologies. E-Bound AVX is engaged in technology development and creation of new products based on visual / IR related technology - intelligent detectors, battery and power management and camera technology. We specialise in roof alarm protection for churches and we have installed almost 1000 alarm systems across the country, some in severely challenging conditions and we have consistently demonstrated success.

no public description

Developed by Archangel Imaging Ltd, based at Harwell Innovation Centre near Oxford, FeverScreen is an AI-assisted, autonomous IR camera system that will demonstrate unobtrusive monitoring of high numbers of people through a transit point to report health alerts; tailored machine vision algorithms will automatically detect face skin temperature as an indicator of possible fever and provide variable alerts based on proximity. FeverScreen is intended to provide immediate feedback via TV screens to those people being scanned to increase trust in these innovate systems. The recent global health alert caused by COVID-19 has demonstrated how quickly a virus can spread and how little the UK Government can do to detect it. FeverScreen will demonstrate the importance of AI-enabled thermal cameras to monitor, detect and alert cases of risk (people exhibiting elevated skin temperature). This autonomous system combining non-intrusive sensors, coupled to verification from AI powered cameras, will demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can be effectively used to increase public safety and increase the incidence of detection of fever. The FeverScreen standalone system is readily deployable to numerous locations, has the option to harvest power for its rechargeable batteries or use mains power and it will provide alert messages to appropriate staff to allow human intervention. This technology has previously found use in systems designed to detect and protect wildlife in remote settings and to prevent theft from public sector infrastructure. Company description: Archangel Imaging specialises in advanced deployable machine vision systems, with power, communications and AI-enabled detection. Archangel Imaging is recognised for its expertise and focus on real, deployable capability for the end user. We take great pride in our work using AI cameras in development programmes to help protect wildlife in both Asia and Africa. The company is an established supplier and partner of UK Ministry of Defence and several defence primes and specialist SMEs. The company is active in infrastructure security and safety monitoring (cable theft, rail safety, oil and gas leakage detection etc.) with various bespoke equipment being deployed in the Middle East, South East Asia and Northern Europe. The company maintains capability in deployable devices (cameras and others), communications (various redundant means), visual AI and management user interfaces for command and control.

"Archangel Imaging's project will employ AI-enabled camera systems to help stem the cost to business and the taxpayer of widespread metal theft. Around the globe, metals ranging from copper to steel (telecom, rail and power cables and infrastructure) are being stolen at an increasing rate; in the UK alone, it is estimated to be heading towards a £1Bn p.a. area of criminal activity. In 2017 the price of copper leapt by 50%. The effect of this translates into a spike in copper theft (a global problem). Taken on a global scale, metal theft is a significant and growing problem and normally it is the taxpayer who covers the cost. Safety is often compromised when criminals degrade rail network or power systems, even when no-one is hurt, the theft usually translates as inconvenience to the public due to communications failure, power outages or rail delays as repairs can often be time consuming and costly. The global market for systems to address the growing multi-billion p.a. metal theft situation is in the hundreds of millions of pounds. The proposed project will develop innovative, low cost technology to allow companies to better protect their valuable infrastructure; the technology easily translates into other areas such as the oil and gas sector, airport security, road safety, in fact wherever routine surveillance is undertaken."

"The project involves detailed calibration of Hyperspectral Imagers and accompanying sensors, with parallel development and test of improved machine vision approaches for hybrid data sets (spectrometer/narrowband/RGB/hypercube). The key objectives are to: * Produce a repeatable, accurate and reliable dynamic calibration in different illumination conditions (WP1) * Produce improved algorithms for use on data sets generated by multiple units against a range of materials (WP2) These objectives support the development of a flexible hyperspectral multi-mission payload for future exploitation (both commercial and scientific). The main areas of focus are the calibration activity in WP1 as this has hampered internal developments within Archangel Imaging to date. The application of machine vision to hyperspectral data on the edge, the development of a working dynamic calibration method and the development of algorithms in parallel with the calibration method (focusing on development for transferability) would all be innovative as individual elements. The exploitation relies on all three innovative areas progressing together. There are numerous wider opportunities for collaboration as RAL Space and Archangel Imaging appear well matched with complementary capabilities (World leading instrumentation and calibration with World leading edge AI capabilities for deployed systems)."

'WatchChainR' builds on the successful Innovate UK funded Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Phase 1 WatchChain project. In this next demonstration phase Archangel Imaging will integrate world leading AI machine vision with GMV UK's unmanned rover vehicle, producing a robot that is designed to reduce risk to humans by undertaking monotonous and repetitive tasks in extreme and challenging environments. WatchChainR will operate remotely and independently using a powerful AI decision making system which has the designed-in intelligence to report only what it needs to; the system is able to save operators both time and money by filtering the mundane from the exceptional with human intervention only needed on an exceptions basis. This Innovate UK funded project is run by Archangel Imaging and GMV UK. Both companies are based at the Harwell Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, a world leading centre for science and engineering innovation.

We will develop remote monitoring equipment for infrastructure security.

"We are developing hyperspectral machine vision payloads for unmanned systems. Not only will we be abel to see the invisible; we will be able to tell what it is made from and detect interesting objects automatically in remote areas."

Exploring future products and services using proprietary AI technology.

HyRIZON is a smart hyperspectral system to combat smuggling, piracy, pollution, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and other maritime crimes. It is particularly suited to Long Endurance Low Altitude UAVs or USVs.