Divers bring Solent shipwrecks to life using artificial intelligence
Project 'UNPATH' is set in motion by the University of Portsmouth
Divers are set to bring underwater shipwrecks back to life by using virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
The University of Portsmouth has received a share of £14.5 million funding to contribute to 'UNPATH', a newly-launched marine heritage project.
The project aims to devise new ways of visualising underwater landscapes and identifying shipwrecks.
Barney Sloane, Historic England’s principal investigator for 'UNPATH', said: “As an island nation, our maritime heritage is of fundamental importance to who we are.
"It will transform the way in which researchers and the public can access the huge variety of collections held in museums, universities, heritage institutions, commercial organisations and indeed by the public.
"The project will bring together expertise in digital humanities, computer science and marine heritage and will unleash the massive research potential of our shared maritime past.”
How will they revive the shipwrecks?
One part of the project will see divers digitally scanning underwater shipwrecks in the Solent with the help of cutting-edge technology.
They include Holland 5, one of the Royal Navy’s first submarines, which is on the seabed off Eastbourne.
Dr Ann Coats, the project lead for Portsmouth, said: "There is such a rich history below the sea. Shipwrecks provide exciting and unique evidence of societies which built, supplied and crewed the vessels. And unlike sites on land, shipwrecks are often left alone until discovered so they preserve a single moment in time.
"Mary Rose is a celebrated example, but some wrecks at the Needles are not yet identified. There is a myriad of new stories to tell."
Besides exploring shipwrecks, the project will also try making maritime archive records accessible for the first time across all four UK nations and open them to the world.
Dr Coats added: "UNPATH seeks to resolve how to break down the barriers of access to these wonderful archives. Gaining this AHRC award is a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of the significance of Portsmouth’s maritime history and culture."
More projects to happen around the UK
The 'UNPATH' project is only one of five major ‘Discovery Projects’ that are being funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through the five-year programme 'Towards a National Collection'.
Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair, Arts and Humanities Research Council, said: “This moment marks the start of the most ambitious phase of research and development we have ever undertaken as a country in the space where culture and heritage meet AI technology.
"'Towards a National Collection' is leading us to a long-term vision of a new national research infrastructure that will be of benefit to collections, researchers and audiences right across the UK."