Few-shot learning acoustic classes from underwater signals
A groundbreaking collaboration with PrioriAnalytica and Flinders University on an Australian Government Department of Education National Industry PhD project tackling key challenges in the maritime sector.
Project Overview:
The project explores novel signal processing and meta-learning strategies to optimise machine learning classifiers for maritime tasks. The team, including academic supervisors Professor Karl Sammut and Associate Professor Paulo Santos aims to develop new methods for detecting and classifying maritime acoustic signatures from vessels, marine life, and seismic activities. The research will advance Australia’s maritime surveillance automation at minimal cost, enhancing coastal security and supporting various maritime applications.
Flinders University’s Perspective:
Flinders University’s renowned expertise in Maritime Autonomy, coupled with Priori Analytica’s industry leadership in Defence, Resources, Energy, and Logistics, bridges the gap between academia and industry. Russell Brinkworth, Associate Professor of Autonomous Systems at Flinders University and lead academic supervisor, shares his perspective:
“Understanding how to reliably generate new, accurate machine learning models using fewer resources will be a huge boon to the community. This project enables the production of small, efficient niche classifiers much more effectively than currently possible, bringing AI training and deployment to smaller and more portable systems.”
Priori Analytica’s Perspective:
Nabil Humphrey, CTO of Priori Analytica and industry supervisor, highlights:
“The National Industry PhD Program is a fantastic opportunity for us to combine Government, University, and Industry support to build cutting-edge research that we can commercialise. This project aligns with Australia’s national industrial priorities and allows us to leverage Flinders University’s deep institutional knowledge, while supporting high-tech employment in the Australian economy.”
Student Perspective:
Lucas Domingos, PhD Candidate at Flinders University, expresses his excitement:
This project aims to explore the underwater acoustic domain, a challenging yet incredibly relevant environment. Despite the task complexity, being part of a study that can enhance our comprehension of the maritime domain is a huge incentive. This research could lead to advancements in ecology, environmental conservation, and surveillance, opening up new possibilities and contributing significantly to the research community.”