FarSounder awarded Manufacturing Innovation Voucher to advance AI-based Sonar capabilities

FarSounder awarded Manufacturing Innovation Voucher to advance AI-based Sonar capabilities © FarSounder

FarSounder, a global leader in 3D Forward Looking Sonar technology, has been awarded a Manufacturing Innovation Voucher by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. The award will support advanced research and development focused on integrating automatic target recognition into FarSounder's end-user sonar software.

Under the Innovation Voucher program, FarSounder will build on an existing proof-of-concept to bring machine-learning target recognition into a fully integrated software prototype. This work will introduce automated classification of key sonar targets, focusing on seafloor features, wake-related bubbles, engine noise interference, and in-water objects such as whales, ice, rocks, and coral. The underlying framework is designed to expand over time, enabling additional target classes as new data becomes available

"This award allows us to accelerate meaningful innovation that directly supports safer navigation and smarter decision-making at sea," said Matthew Zimmerman, CEO and Co-Founder of FarSounder. "By applying modern AI techniques to the unique challenges of sonar data, we're enhancing our ability to deliver more actionable information to mariners while opening the door to new applications across manned and unmanned vessels."

FarSounder's work leverages more than two decades of sonar expertise and an extensive proprietary data set of over 80 terabytes of real-world sonar recordings collected globally. Using this data, FarSounder has already demonstrated a convolutional neural network (CNN) capable of processing raw sonar data in real time with performance comparable to existing classical algorithms. This foundation offers significantly greater flexibility to expand object recognition capabilities through additional training.

The research supported by this award will benefit FarSounder's existing customer base through future software updates, while also enabling new integrations across emerging maritime applications. These include pilot-assist systems for high-speed passenger vessels, autonomous and minimally manned platforms, advanced collision-avoidance systems, and enhancing autonomy for USV platforms.

"Innovation Vouchers reflect the state's commitment to supporting innovative companies such as FarSounder, said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. "Commerce's grant aims to accelerate the company's research and development while also strengthening our ocean economy, one of Rhode Island's key industries, by reinforcing our position as a leader in ocean technology and advanced manufacturing".

This award reinforces FarSounder's commitment to innovation, environmental awareness, and operational safety, while highlighting Rhode Island's role in supporting advanced manufacturing for the blue economy.