Hello, this is Iida from the Converging Technologies Laboratory at Fujitsu. Our research group is developing Ocean Digital Twin technology to fully digitize the ocean. As part of this, we conducted a demonstration in the Nosoko area of Ishigaki Island, the first site in Okinawa Prefecture to be recognized as Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site. Let me share the details of this project.
Fujitsu's Ocean Digital Twin
In order to realize a sustainable society, the conservation and effective use of the ocean, which cover 70% of the Earth's surface, is an urgent issue. The Ocean Digital Twin we are developing is a technology that makes it possible to verify in advance the effectiveness of measures to achieve carbon neutrality and biodiversity conservation in the ocean.
To realize the Ocean Digital Twin, we integrate data from underwater drones, aerial drones, satellites, oceanographic knowledge, and AI to achieve high-precision digitization of the ocean environment.
The Ocean Digital Twin enables "digital rehearsals" to verify the effects of measures like increasing blue carbon for CO2 absorption, conducting biodiversity assessments, and maintaining offshore wind power facilities. This reduces risks and supports optimal decision-making before real-world implementation. Here, blue carbon refers to the carbon stored in ocean ecosystems, which is absorbed from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.We aim to build a digital twin of seaweed beds (areas where seaweed and sea grass thrive) that can be expected to increase blue carbon by the end of fiscal 2026, so that we can verify the effects of blue carbon measures, such as increasing the amount of CO2 absorbed and maintaining fishery resources.
We're developing several key technologies for this project: automated control, ocean measurement, and seaweed bed AI modeling. For example, ocean measurement technology includes AI-based image enhancement to restore the colors and contours of underwater objects for high-resolution 3D data conversion, and underwater real-time 3D measurement technology that measures the shapes of objects swaying underwater in real time(press release). The concept and technologies were also introduced at the Fujitsu Technology Strategy Briefing on December 12, 2024.
About the Technology Demonstration
In early November 2024, we conducted a verification of ocean measurement technology and data acquisition for use in developing ocean models as part of a technical verification in the Nosoko district of Ishigaki City.
The eelgrass bed at Nosoko Point, Ishigaki Island, is the first area in Okinawa Prefecture to be recognized as Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site. This initiative by Japan's Ministry of the Environment began in 2023 to recognize areas where biodiversity conservation activities by companies and local residents. Nearly ten species of eelgrass thrive here, including Enhalus acoroides, which marks the northern limit of its distribution and is classified as a vulnerable species. In recent years, grazing damage by green sea turtles has posed severe threats, prompting conservation efforts such as installing protective fences funded by crowdfunding. Companies including Fujitsu and local residents have collaborated to cultivate and transplant Enhalus acoroides, monitor the area using underwater drones, and implement conservation activities. We have issued a press release, and we encourage you to take a look if you’re interested.
We collected data focusing on the Enhalus acoroides protection area.The collected data includes underwater images for AI-based analysis of vegetation distribution, classification, and shape measurement, 3D data from underwater LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) for real-time shape measurement, aerial drone data for understanding broad vegetation distribution, and water quality data. These data were acquired with high precision and high resolution, and it was verified that they are effective for building a model of the ocean for the development of digital twins. Additionally, we conducted a field study for future blue carbon applications. We would like to introduce some of these.
Underwater image data collection using underwater drones.
Inside the protective fences, Enhalus acoroides thrives, while outside, grazing has left vegetation sparse. Distinct vegetation types were also observed inside the fences. These data will be used to train AI models for coverage (the extent of ground covered by plants) calculation and to build seaweed bed AI models.
3D Measurement of Eelgrass Using Underwater LiDAR
LiDAR is a technology that measures the distance to objects by emitting laser light and measuring the time it takes for the light to return. By scanning the laser in two dimensions, it is possible to measure the three-dimensional shape of the object. The underwater LiDAR we use has a resolution of a few centimeters and can perform real-time measurements at up to 20 frames per second. It is also capable of compensating for object movement due to waves. In this experiment, we measured Enhalus acoroides from above, confirming real-time capabilities. This supports precise calculations of CO2 absorption and contributes to constructing ocean models.
Aerial Drone Survey of Ocean Areas
We used aerial drones to photograph a 1.2-kilometer stretch along the coast of the conservation area to examine vegetation distribution. Inside the protective fences, darker areas indicates thriving Enhalus acoroides, confirmed by underwater drone surveys. Expert opinions helped identify other notable points outside the fenced areas.We will advance the development of ocean models utilizing this data.
Future Plans
We will analyze the huge amount of acquired data and conduct regular monitoring to advance digital twin development. This will enable optimized conservation measures for Enhalus acoroides in this ocean area. Additionally, by continuing monitoring in other ocean areas, we will further develop models of marine environments.
Stay tuned for timely updates and more insights!
