Darkocean has introduced NAVBathy, an artificial intelligence-driven marine mapping agent capable of producing large-scale relative bathymetry in seconds using low-resolution satellite imagery. The system represents a significant advancement in marine surveying technology, offering unprecedented speed and scale compared to traditional methods.
Early demonstration results show NAVBathy's capability to cover approximately 70% of Qatar's coastline and map nearly 100 kilometers of adjacent marine areas. This rapid mapping delivers actionable depth information that supports project planning and reduces operational risks for coastal development projects.
NAVBathy scouts suitable satellite imagery and generates consistent relative depth models at speeds previously unattainable with conventional surveying approaches. The system provides planners, engineers, and marine operators with immediate situational awareness of seabed conditions, enabling better-informed decisions during early project phases and helping prevent costly surprises during execution.
"The ability to generate accurate, large-scale relative depth maps within seconds transforms how coastal projects are scoped and risk-assessed," said Neha Supekar, AI Solution Architect at Darkocean. "NAVBathy gives teams an instant, evidence-based view of underwater terrain so they can prioritize detailed surveys, optimize logistics, and reduce schedule risk — especially in regions where traditional survey resources are limited."
The technology relies on advanced machine learning models trained to interpret data and signals from low-resolution satellite data to infer relative seabed depth across wide areas. In the Qatar demonstration, NAVBathy successfully mapped extensive shoreline stretches and nearshore zones within seconds, providing clear operational pictures across channels, shoals, and shallow shelves.
NAVBathy is designed to integrate with existing GIS and marine planning tools, offering exportable layers, time-series comparisons, and change detection capabilities. These features support various applications including environmental monitoring, dredging planning, coastal development, and emergency response operations.
By focusing on relative bathymetry, NAVBathy complements rather than replaces high-precision hydrographic surveys. The system serves as a rapid screening layer that highlights areas requiring detailed follow-up, helping reduce the footprint and cost of comprehensive surveys by focusing resources where detailed measurement is most needed. For projects requiring precise absolute depths for navigation or regulatory compliance, targeted in-situ hydrographic surveys remain essential according to the company's guidance. More information about Darkocean's marine technology solutions can be found at https://www.darkocean.biz.
