Project SEA-NET is an NSF-funded R&D collaborative R&D and at-scale demonstration effort. The team consists of Spectronn (project lead), Georgia Tech, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Purdue.

SEA-NET will develop, demonstrate, and deploy an integrated maritime emergency response platform that combines autonomous surface vessels, aerial drones, and mother ships, all coordinated by distributed edge computing, explainable AI, and seamless 5G/SATCOM networking. The project targets real-world scenarios such as oil spill containment and search-and-rescue operations, leveraging distributed edge computing and data fusion for resilient situational awareness and rapid autonomous intervention even under denied or degraded communication conditions. Objectives include validating cost-effective and scalable response strategies on the Hudson River testbed, benchmarking end-to-end network and AI performance, and developing open standards and metrics for industry adoption.

SEA-NET advances the frontiers of intelligent autonomous systems, resilient networking, and distributed AI in maritime emergency response through innovative integration of 5G and satellite communications, real-time edge analytics, and explainable autonomy. By conducting at-scale demonstrations on the Hudson River, the project will address fundamental research questions in multi-domain network orchestration, distributed sensing and control, and secure, interpretable AI for dynamic and safety-critical environments. The team combines expertise in AI autonomy, FutureG, and trusted and distributed edge AI, ensuring a rigorous, well-organized approach that not only contributes new architectures and methodologies to the scientific community but also delivers comprehensive evaluation metrics and open-source frameworks for future research. SEA-NET’s work is expected to transform knowledge and set new standards for resilient, explainable, and scalable emergency response technologies across U.S. waterways and globally.

SEA-NET’s broader impacts are far-reaching and tangible, targeting improved public safety and more effective maritime operations through rapid, autonomous disaster mitigation in waterways. The project provides unique, hands-on training and workforce development opportunities for students and early-career researchers through direct involvement in high-impact experimentation, data analysis, and community outreach on the Hudson River.  SEA-NET will promote wider adoption of intelligent maritime systems among emergency agencies, commercial operators, and port authorities, ultimately strengthening U.S. competitiveness in critical maritime and disaster-response technologies. The project’s public demonstrations and engagement activities will raise awareness about the maritime domain and the promise of AI-driven solutions, fostering a culture of innovation and preparedness within both the scientific community and society at large.