Swarm Eye: A Distributed Autonomous Surveillance System

Abstract

Conventional means such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite imaging are important information sources but provide only limited and static information. In tactical situations rich 3D images and dynamically self-adapting information are needed to overcome this restriction; this information should be collected where it is available. Swarms are sets of interconnected units that can be arranged and coordinated in any flexible way to execute a specific task in a distributed manner. This paper introduces Swarm Eyea concept that provides a platform for combining the powerful techniques of swarm intelligence, emergent behaviour and computer graphics in one system. It allows the testing of new image processing concepts for a better and well informed decision making process. By using advanced collaboratively acting eye units, the system can observe, gather and process images in parallel to provide high value information. To capture visual data from an autonomous UAV unit, the unit has to be in the right position in order to get the best visual sight. The developed system also provides autonomous adoption of formations for UAVs in an autonomous and distributed manner in accordance with the tactical situation.