Detection of underwater objects based on machine learning

Side-scan and forward-looking sonars are some of the most widely used imaging systems for obtaining large scale images of the seafloor, and their use continues to expand rapidly with their increased deployment on autonomous underwater vehicles. However, it is difficult to extract quantitative information from the images generated from these processes, particularly for the detection and extraction of information on the objects within these images. We propose in this paper an algorithm for automatic detection of underwater objects in side-scan images based on machine learning employing adaptive boosting. Experimental results show that the method produces consistent maps of the seafloor.