Unlocking Secrets of the Deep: University of Michigan Professor Explores AI Modeling of Shipwrecks at Maritime Center

Katie Skinner, an assistant professor of robotics at the University of Michigan, recently gave a talk at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. She shared insights into groundbreaking technology aimed at improving our understanding of underwater shipwrecks.

The need for better underwater exploration tools is becoming critical. Traditional robots often struggle with degraded images and complex underwater structures. This can make it tough to gather clear data in murky environments. As Skinner explained, current methods often require human oversight and can’t keep up with the demands of accurate mapping.

Her team is working on new techniques that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to tackle these challenges. The aim is to create real-time 3D models of shipwrecks. This would help researchers visualize their findings immediately, instead of waiting days to see if they’ve captured all necessary images.

Skinner noted that while military applications benefit from high-quality underwater tech, many exploratory researchers must use simpler tools that lack essential features like WiFi or GPS. This limitation makes communication with underwater vehicles, like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), much harder.

For example, AUVs can collect side-view images of wrecks, but this data isn’t always comprehensive. Skinner emphasized the importance of automating this process to improve accuracy. By training AI with various examples of shipwrecks, her research team aims to teach the technology how to interpret side-scan images efficiently.

Moreover, recent surveys indicate a growing interest in marine archaeology and underwater exploration. For instance, a 2022 study showed that 70% of respondents believe improving underwater technology could lead to significant archaeological discoveries. This reflects a broader trend of increasing public fascination with our oceans and what lies beneath their surfaces.

Skinner’s work shows that the future of underwater exploration could be promising, provided these emerging technologies can overcome current limitations. As she aptly stated, there is still much to learn, but exciting advancements are on the horizon.

For more on underwater exploration technologies, you can check out recent findings from NOAA here.

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