BOOSTING MARITIME SECURITY WITH INTELLIGENT EDGE-BASED VIDEO ANALYTICS
THE CUSTOMER:
How Phoenix AI deploys video cameras for real-time,
intelligent vision analytics and decision-making
Phoenix AI has emerged as a global leader in intelligent video analytics, offering a turnkey solution optimized for real-time performance on o-the-grid Edge AI devices. Its technology combines NVIDIA embedded GPUs and advanced AI with any video cameras to deliver real-time, intelligent vision analytics and decision-making. These systems have multiple applications in defence, asset protection, and security, as well as in other key verticals, such as manufacturing and smart cities.
Phoenix AI brings several critical benefits for end users. Firstly, it is a one-stop shop provider, meaning it can manage every aspect of real-time video analytics deployment, from the initial conception and development of custom AI models and computer vision, through to installation and maintenance. This full-system capability means end users bene‑t from a technology that works out of the box, even in the most challenging or remote environments, leaving them to concentrate on day-to-day activities with full peace of mind.
Secondly, the Edge AI approach means data processing happens in real-time directly on GPU-based devices, ensuring fast execution without delays. With no need for internet or cloud connection, cameras are transformed into smart devices that are customised for performance at the edge. This functionality provides real-time visibility and analysis of potentially dangerous or threatening situations in the user environment that others cannot do, while reducing the need for large-scale data transmission and lowering operational costs. In short, the Phoenix AI system is fully configured to deliver intelligent vision analytics and decision-making in high-security environments.
THE CHALLENGE: The need for real-time vessel detection in maritime environments
For port operators, illegal activities, security threats, and inefficient maritime presence detection pose significant operational challenges. Traditional vessel detection methods rely heavily on Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, which can be manipulated, disabled, or are simply absent in certain areas. This creates critical blind spots in maritime inspection, leaving authorities unable to track unregistered or suspicious vessels.
A smarter and more cost-effective solution is needed to enhance maritime security, reduce operational burdens, and ensure real-time vessel analytics. That’s where Phoenix AI comes in. Its Vessel Detector system utilizes Edge AI to deliver real-time vessel detection with any camera, including tracking and classification, in any condition. The system has been successfully deployed in several major ports worldwide, enhancing security, law enforcement, and maritime traffic management, thereby helping to prevent illicit activities. Unlike traditional systems, it detects vessels even without AIS, ensuring accurate, GDPR-compliant analytics with low operational costs.
“Port operators need intelligent AI-driven systems that can perform event-driven insights, giving them the ability to detect and analyse key maritime events, while reducing reliance on constant human supervision and minimizing false alarms,” says Laurent Renard, chief executive officer and founder of Phoenix AI.“Critically, such systems need to offer real-time detection, with instant vessel tracking and response, for faster and more efficient maritime security. Deployment must also be cost-effective and scalable, eliminating high cloud storage and bandwidth costs to ensure predictable operational expenses. The answer to these needs comes with Edge on-device AI for intelligent video analytics that can be deployed in harsh maritime environments.”
THE SOLUTION: Using rugged Edge computing for AI-inspired video analytics
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium provides a prime example of Phoenix AI’s technology in action. Here, its Vessel Detector solution helps port security monitor every vessel that enters its waters, using more than 1,000 rugged, low-energy cameras that automatically detect and recognize ships.
The Vessel Detector relies on the integration of rugged, reliable, and scalable hardware. In this case, Phoenix AI deployed the ASUS IoT PE1100N, a compact, high-performance Edge AI computer designed specifically for demanding environments such as ports. This device ensures that intelligent video analytics can be deployed reliably, even in harsh conditions, without compromising on speed, scalability, or energy efficiency.
PE1100N scored highly in several critical areas. It is powered by NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ architecture, featuring ARM Cortex-A78AE processors and a power-efficient design that consumes as little as 10W for a single video stream, scaling up modestly with additional streams. Its 12–24V DC input makes it ideal for off-grid or mobile deployments, significantly reducing energy costs compared to traditional x86 systems. Phoenix AI believed that this low-power footprint was crucial for 24/7 operations, such as those at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, in remote or infrastructure-limited environments.
The PE1100N was also deemed ideal for Edge-ready deployment in marine applications. Designed for resilience, it features a fanless, extruded-aluminium chassis that eliminates moving parts and supports silent, stable operation. It is rated for a wide operating temperature range of -20°C to +50°C, ensuring reliable performance on docks, vessels, and control rooms exposed to fluctuating weather and humidity. Meanwhile, Phoenix AI felt that its anti-vibration design would further enhance durability, making it suitable for both mobile and shore-based installations.
Real-time AI performance was also key. Powered by NVIDIA Ampere GPUs with up to 1024 CUDA cores and 32 Tensor Cores, the PE1100N delivers up to 100 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) of AI performance. This enables the simultaneous processing of up to four camera streams in real-time, with no latency or reliance on the cloud. Connectivity is streamlined with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G, and 5G via optional modules, allowing for flexible integration into existing networks. The PE1100N also includes dual LAN ports, USB 3.2, HDMI, and M.2 slots for expansion, making it easy to connect to dashboards, sensors, and third-party systems. This plug-and-play capability ensures rapid deployment and integration with Phoenix AI’s broader ecosystem, including custom APIs.
“The PE1100N represented the perfect solution for all our needs,” says Laurent Renard. “The result for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges was a unique, turnkey solution for video analytics, optimized for real-time performance on off-the-grid Edge AI offering instant vessel detection, classification, and tracking - even for non-cooperative targets without AIS - all processed locally on-device.”
THE OUTCOME: How ASUS IoT and Phoenix AI work together to deliver success
The development of the PE1100N for the Vessel Detector was achieved through collaboration with ASUS IoT, which offers a comprehensive portfolio of NVIDIA® Jetson™ solutions. In addition, ASUS IoT offers the flexibility to meet any customer requirement across various use cases and the ability to handle both small and medium-volume deployments. This depth of product portfolio and flexibility of service made ASUS IoT the perfect partner.
Technical teams from Phoenix AI and ASUS IoT worked closely together to configure the PE1100N for maritime applications. In terms of customer support, ASUS IoT provided dedicated technical support, including early-stage firmware issue resolution for the new NVIDIA Jetson deployments. It was a collaborative partnership, with extensive time invested in mutual learning before formal agreements were established.
“What really impressed me was that ASUS IoT actively supported us with a joint problem-solving approach – we faced everything together,” says Laurent Renard. “ASUS IoT always provided expert guidance on technical feasibility, helping us understand what was achievable every step of the way. As a result, we had complete confidence in ASUS IoT hardware performance and reliability. The relationship provided genuine peace of mind.”
For the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the result of this collaboration has been a measurable success. Performance metrics include optical character recognition on vessels, which achieved close to 100% detection accuracy, with zero hardware failures or downtime issues, and a long lifespan design that proves reliable in field conditions. The port has deployed 10x more cameras than originally expected, with the systems requiring no manual oversight. The system provides fully autonomous operation and exceptional reliability, therefore reducing costs.
Looking to the future, Phoenix AI is projected to become Europe's largest specialist provider of AI Edge device solutions for intelligent video analytics within three years. In partnership with ASUS IoT, it has a technology roadmap aligned with next-generation AI capabilities, featuring a hardware platform that is ready for larger AI models and more sophisticated threat detection. Market expansion will also result from the successful application of its technology in other verticals, including manufacturing automation, smart city infrastructure, and transportation systems.
“ASUS IoT is proud to support Phoenix AI as it continues to progress with Edge device deployment for intelligent video analytics,” says Silvia Kuo, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at ASUS IoT. “We provide expertise in industrial-grade hardware design for harsh environments and AI capability for easy integration - all critical technologies for bringing these advanced solutions to life.”
ASUS IoT PE1100N