Supplementary funding for a collaboration between the ongoing IKT+ project and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) was achieved in 2023. The supplementary project entitled “Fast uncertainty estimation in deep learning applied to object recognition in sonar images” commenced in Feb 2024. The new project will utilize the Bayesian Deep Learning methods developed by the ongoing RCN funded project to obtain reliable uncertainty estimates in classification tasks highly relevant to investigations performed by FFI. In addition, the new project will add to the ongoing project by pursuing sparse neural networks as a novel and particularly interesting field for speeding up uncertainty estimation in Bayesian Deep learning. Another novelty of the project is to investigate the impact of simulated data in uncertainty estimation. Finally, the project will transfer knowledge and expertise of the project to the defence sector.

Primary objectives:

The primary objective is to develop near real-time uncertainty estimation for deep learning algorithms and demonstrate how they can be useful both for civilian seafloor monitoring and defense applications of underwater robotics.

Secondary objectives:

The secondary objective is to transfer knowledge and expertise of the project to the defense sector through research and development carried out by all partners, including FFI.