Beijing: Chinese researchers have developed a marine vision system that provides ships with a full 360-degree view, significantly improving navigation safety in darkness, fog, and other difficult conditions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Cai Zhengtao, dean of the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering at Harbin Engineering University, highlighted the importance of this development in the context of global trade, which heavily relies on maritime transport. With shipping lanes becoming increasingly congested, the risk of collisions has risen. Traditional ship vision systems, equipped with only two or three cameras, offer merely 120-degree coverage, creating dangerous blind spots. Cai emphasized that accurate obstacle detection and expanded situational awareness are critical for preventing collisions.

He further noted that unpredictable weather conditions, such as fog and storms, often force ships to halt operations, thereby reducing efficiency and increasing costs. The newly developed system, which is a result of 14 years of research at the university, marks China’s first all-weather, high-resolution panoramic vision solution for marine applications.

The technology features a dual-module design with 8 to 12 cameras per module, integrating visible light and far-infrared sensors to ensure reliable performance across various visibility conditions. It is currently operational onboard the Chinese intelligent research vessel Haitun 1 and has been applied in critical maritime operations, including tugboat assistance systems and port surveillance.