KU Affairs

Khalifa University and Lockheed Martin to Collaborate on Image Analysis System for Aircraft

December 13, 2021

Project Framework to Integrate Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Expert Systems, Capable of Accurately Locating Markings and Symbols on Aircraft  

 

Khalifa University and Lockheed Martin today announced the signing of an agreement to create a framework to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision to inspect and verify measurements, in order to improve the speed and accuracy of logo inspections during aircraft production cycle. 

 

The agreement was executed by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, and Dr. Steve Walker, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Lockheed Martin, at Dubai Airshow 2021, held from 14-18 November 2021 at DWC. 

 

Lockheed Martin and Khalifa University will collaborate on a Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (CVPR) project using AI reinforcement learning and training sets. CVPR techniques have become more ubiquitous as computer hardware and software techniques have improved over the past 20 years. CVPR has been applied to biometrics, target identification, aimpoint refinement and automated control. It is of interest to Lockheed Martin for use across all domains. 

 

“Khalifa University’s collaboration agreement with Lockheed Martin signifies our status not only as a top-ranked research-intensive university but also as a center for academic and innovation excellence in advanced technologies such as machine learning and augmented reality systems through our research centers,” said Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi. “We believe this partnership will lead to an outcome that will benefit industry stakeholders while ushering in quality systems to assist professionals in the global aviation sector.” 

 

“We are excited by the opportunity to collaborate with Khalifa University on this AI project based on the Memorandum of Understanding we signed last year,” said Dr. Steven Walker. “Khalifa University is a leading research institute in the region and the results will be applicable to the production line and a variety of technology developments efforts across space, air, land, sea, underwater and cyber.” 

 

This effort will research techniques to improve the ability of CVPR to accurately register standard symbology in imagery. The techniques developed can then be applied to any product that is attempting to accurately locate markings and symbols. 

 

Dr. Naoufel Werghi, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Khalifa University, will be the Principal Investigator, while Dr. Ernesto Damiani, Director, Research Center on Cyber-Physical Systems (C2PS), will be the Co-PI.

 

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
12 December 2021