Combining Audio Signals and Satellite Data: Innovative enabler for autonomous mobile work machines

Last Updated: 07/07/2022 10:40     Created at: 07/07/2022 10:40

Final Presentation of NAVISP Project EL2-055 now available:

On Wednesday, July 06, 2022, Meluta Oy presented the results of the NAVISP project “Satellite Data and Audio Signals as enabler for Autonomous mobile work machines (SMAM).”

Meluta is a Finnish deep-tech SME focusing on signal processing, software development, and sensor technologies, bringing together these core competencies with acoustic and vibroacoustic sensor systems. With its expertise, the company enables the technological development and commercialization of various innovative solutions to better monitor industrial processes, create situational awareness and prevent safety and productivity incidents.

The project’s main goal was to demonstrate how audio signals can complement existing satellite and sensor data to optimize operations and detect risky situations. For this purpose, microphone arrays were developed to identify the direction of the incoming sound and to classify its source.

Current sensor solutions struggle to provide ubiquitous GNSS signals and comprehensive situational awareness in work machinery. Meluta's product aims to bridge this gap by developing a robust navigation system that integrates sound analysis results. To this end, the MAX TM (Meluta Advanced execution platform), a flexible demonstrator, was developed to showcase and generate interest in the capabilities of sound and vibration sensing. The demonstrator is coupled with a user interface on a smartphone in the form of a web browser client, which allows for easy and straightforward use. Initial use cases included the integration into an emergency vehicle direction and detection system that was successfully tested in various environments.

Thanks to the support of NAVISP, Meluta has succeeded in developing a promising platform that uses adaptive signal processing technologies and provides an enhanced external soundscape to assess the environment better.  This made it possible to complement current map matching approaches with sound-based information, thus combining acoustic aspects with PNT information. The application and thus commercialization possibilities are much broader than just related to mobile working machines. Future application areas may include autonomous vehicles and other applications in smart urban surroundings that require sound and vibration sensing to cope with the real-world environment.

The project was part of NAVISP Element 2, which aims to maintain and improve the capabilities and competitiveness of the participating States' industry in the global market for satellite navigation and, more broadly, PNT technologies and services.

More detailed information can be found in the slides of the Final Presentation.