Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has unveiled AIRIS, a satellite-mounted system equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the detection of vessels that deliberately disable their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to avoid being tracked. The technology aims to address a growing concern in maritime security, particularly illegal fishing, piracy, and unreported vessel movements.
Traditional satellite monitoring involves capturing large volumes of high-resolution images and transmitting them to Earth for processing. However, this method is time-consuming and limited by storage and transmission constraints. AIRIS overcomes these challenges by processing data directly onboard the satellite, using AI to identify suspicious vessels and transmitting only the relevant information.
“The deployment of AIRIS marks a significant advancement in maritime monitoring, enhancing the ability to track elusive vessels and mitigate illegal activities on the high seas,” Mitsubishi Heavy stated in a release.
The system is capable of tracking ships even if they switch off AIS mid-journey by monitoring their visual presence. Additionally, AIRIS can receive updates remotely, allowing its onboard AI to remain effective as maritime threats evolve.
AIRIS will be launched in 2025 as part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program, riding aboard the RAISE-4 satellite. According to MHI, the primary focus of the technology will be to support economic security by targeting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is responsible for up to $23 billion in annual economic losses.
MHI also indicated that the technology has the potential for broader applications, including tracking aircraft or ground vehicles in future iterations.