Projects

To enhance Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)‘s capability for UAV-based surveillance of European Water Chestnut (EWC) through machine learning, we at Saiwa have previously implemented the initial version of the EWC detector software. In the second stage, we are in the process of finalizing the product’s features and upgrading its interfaces.The two primary features to be incorporated in this stage are as follows: Incremental learning for gradually training the deep network over time. This feature enables us to rectify false positive and false negative detections over time. Reporting the 3D universal coordinates of EWC locations using drone configuration and temporal GPS data.

European water chestnut (Trapa natans) is an invasive floating-leaved aquatic plant that is capable of out-competing native species and altering Ontario’s aquatic ecosystems. In addition to ongoing control of known populations in Ontario, this species is designated as a “Prohibited Species” in Ontario under the Invasive Species Act, 2015 to aid in prevention, detection and control of the species. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) performs surveillance and control of this species in eastern Ontario in attempts to eradicate existing populations and prevent the establishment of new ones.