In the middle of the exhibition hall at HavExpo, Aquabyte has set up a booth to showcase its latest product. Here, they are showing off their newest camera – the Hydra 360 – for the first time.
– We are a bit proud of this, says Ole Vidar Andersland, Senior Media & Communication Manager at AquaByte , while demonstrating the technology inside the dome.
The camera has its world premiere at HavExpo, and represents a new step in the development of digital surveillance in the aquaculture industry. Where traditional cameras provide limited visibility into the cage, Aquabyte now combines multiple cameras, sonar and sensors into one unit.
“The limitation with cameras is that you can only see within a certain area, especially when visibility in the water is poor. Sonar can help us find out where the fish are actually standing,” he explains.
See more than just the fish
Aquabyte's technology is not just about filming fish. Using artificial intelligence, the system analyzes the images and extracts data on, among other things, biomass, lice count, swimming speed, direction, feed response, pellet detection and welfare.
– You can get the world's best pictures and videos of the fish, but if you don't have AI and machine learning to analyze them, you won't get data, says Andersland.
An example is feeding. The system can recognize pellets in the water and see how long it takes before they are eaten. At the same time, the fish's behavior is analyzed.
– When the fish swim in different directions, it is a sign that it is eating. When it moves further out and starts to school, it may mean that it is no longer interested in the food. In that case, you can stop feeding and start again later.
360 degrees underwater
Hydra 360 has multiple cameras pointing in different directions. The images are stitched together using AI, allowing operators to get a complete 360-degree view of the cage.
“The person working with feeding can focus on one camera, while others can look at fish behavior or other conditions at the same time. Several people can use different views in parallel,” he explains.
The camera also has a motor that allows it to rotate around its own axis, which is important for making the best use of the sonar.
From mission to implementation
Aquabyte believes that the aquaculture industry is now taking a clear technological step.
– In the first few years, we had to go out and explain why this was useful. Now we have enough examples to show that it actually works. We have moved from the missionary phase to the implementation phase, says Andersland.
He believes the question is no longer whether farmers will adopt such systems, but when.
– If a system like this can save one delousing during a production period, the entire investment has been saved.
HavExpo as a showcase
For Aquabyte, HavExpo is an important arena for showcasing new technology – and this year they are doing it literally with an eye-catcher outside the hall.
– HavExpo is an incredibly important exhibition arena for us. It gives us the opportunity to showcase what we are working on, create a bit of a show and show that we are leading the way in development, says Andersland.
As a Bergen-based company, launching the technology locally also means something extra.
– Being able to be here at HavExpo means we can push the gas a little extra.
County Mayor Jon Askeland was also impressed by the new camera and AquaByte's technology.
