The VIDEAR platform is a patented digital twin system (GB2629638) engineered to deliver enhanced situational awareness in demanding maritime and environmental contexts. Utilising the Unity3D gaming engine, it generates real-time, geo-referenced 3D models that integrate data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), overcoming the constraints of conventional 2D displays. This architecture enables precise virtual augmentations, aligning drone locations and orientations with user devices such as helmets, tablets, or phones to render overlays like paths, targets, and icons directly in the real-world view.
Tailored for maritime search and rescue (SAR), VIDEAR operates as an Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system for low-altitude UAVs below 120 metres, incorporating Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology for superior navigational accuracy. It supports Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations through regulatory-compliant visualisations, even when drones are obscured by obstacles, facilitating compliance with authorities like the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Detected targets are geo-tagged and shared instantly, creating a unified operating picture for multi-agency collaborations.
In environmental applications, VIDEAR automates the creation of layered 3D models from LiDAR and photogrammetry data (processed via tools like Pix4D), tracking dynamic changes such as vegetation growth, water levels, or pollutant spread. Features include time-of-day simulations, environmental effects like wind on grass or waves, and precision in repeated flight paths for consistent monitoring. Its scalable, cloud-based design with a centralised "drone-in-a-box" solution reduces operational overhead, making it ideal for sustainable projects in coastlines, rivers, and ports while ensuring eco-friendly practices.
This versatile platform addresses key challenges in SAR safety and ecological monitoring, offering a robust foundation for dual-use applications in commercial UAVs, Marine Applications, and green industries at Technology Readiness Levels 4-5.