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A third-year engineering student from the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIITH) has developed an innovative algorithm with the potential to significantly improve the Indian Navy's ability to detect and track flying objects.
Rishabh Bhattacharya's "optical flow tracking algorithm" can quickly and reliably identify and track various airborne objects, including helicopters, airplanes, and drones, even in challenging conditions.
Bhattacharya developed this solution for a nationwide competition organized by the Indian Navy, which sought innovative technological solutions to real-world operational challenges.
His algorithm stood out, earning him a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh and the attention of Navy officials who have encouraged him to conduct further research and potentially integrate his solution into their operational systems.
The algorithm addresses a critical need for the Navy by demonstrating resilience to varying lighting conditions, rapid movements, and complex textures while maintaining efficiency on platforms like drones or embedded systems. This robustness and scalability make it well-suited for real-time detection and tracking in challenging environments.
Bhattacharya explained that he utilized a method called "optical flow" to identify how objects move by analyzing changes in images. To train his program effectively, he combined existing datasets with a custom-made dataset, creating diverse motion scenarios to test the algorithm's tracking capabilities.
The results were impressive, with the algorithm demonstrating high accuracy and resilience even under challenging conditions like fog, low lighting, and unpredictable movements.
The Navy's interest in Bhattacharya's algorithm highlights the potential for young innovators to contribute to national security and defence through cutting-edge technological solutions. By improving the Navy's ability to detect and track drones, aircraft, and helicopters, this technology could play a crucial role in enhancing situational awareness and safeguarding India's maritime interests.
