Description

ORBIS aims to deliver a market-ready, AI-powered, and cost-effective solution that integrates constellations of satellites with autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to enable secure, real-time surveillance and rapid search and rescue across extensive maritime zones prone to illegal migrant activity.

By combining the expertise of its SMEs, ORBIS pushes the boundaries of current technological capabilities through the integration of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, optical Very High Resolution (VHR) satellites, and thermal infrared sources, forming a continuous, high-accuracy maritime monitoring system. Advanced, autonomous UAVs are enhanced to operate reliably under extreme and diverse sea and weather conditions, extending surveillance capabilities for border management applications. At the core of ORBIS lies the exploitation of cutting-edge Machine Learning (ML) models to anticipate potential threats in high-risk areas and optimise UAV flight paths, maximising both coverage and operational efficiency. The project further advances real-time decision-making through the fusion of multimodal data and distributed ML training, ensuring faster and more coordinated responses to migration incidents.

Beyond its technological breakthroughs, ORBIS proactively addresses market, regulatory, ethical, and security considerations to accelerate access to the civil security market. The project engages with EU SMEs and key market stakeholders under a structured innovation management strategy, while documenting best practices and policy recommendations to guide future innovators.

By bridging AI, satellite constellations, and UAV intelligence, ORBIS is shaping the future of autonomous, data-driven maritime surveillance with a focus on operational readiness, scalability, and societal impact.  

Keywords

Distributed AI, network management, time sensitive networks, integrated 6G architecture, sustainable networks