GB-Salisbury: Dstl Satellite Imagery Feature Detection

FOR FULL COMPETITION DETAILS PLEASE VIEW THE KAGGLE WEBSITE: https://www.kaggle.com/c/dstl-satellite-imagery-feature-detection

As these large, complex datasets continue to increase exponentially in number, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is seeking novel solutions to alleviate the burden on their image analysts. In this competition, Kagglers are challenged to accurately classify features in overhead imagery. Automating feature labeling will not only help Dstl make smart decisions more quickly around the defense and security of the UK, but also bring innovation to computer vision methodologies applied to satellite imagery.

In a UK first, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has announced that it is working with Kaggle, the world's largest data science competition community, to source innovative solutions to help intelligence analysts evaluate information more quickly, accurately and effectively. The competition, with a prize fund of $100,000, is seeking to identify novel methods to evaluate large, complex data sets.

Dstl has challenged users to develop an algorithm or software that will automatically detect and identify objects in satellite images. The challenge is to correctly identify and categorise up to 10 features and objects, such as cars, trees and buildings in a variety of environments. The project has the potential to identify solutions which will greatly improve satellite intelligence gathering and analysis capability.

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said:

The UK must innovate to stay ahead, while developing the ability to harness entrepreneurship quickly and affordably, wherever it emerges.

This kind of joint crowdsourcing project is precisely what the Ministry of Defence's new Innovation Initiative aims to encourage: strengthening and streamlining collaboration with both new and established partners.

The MOD's new Innovation Fund of around £800 million over ten years will support fresh and innovative ideas from across and beyond the Defence sector.

With a rising Defence budget, and a £178 billion equipment plan, our commitment to innovation and collaboration will deliver a safer and more prosperous Britain.

Entries will be submitted online and will be scored immediately. The results will be summarised on a live leader board. The best three entries will receive a share of the $100,000 prize fund. The first prize is $50,000, the second $30,000 and third $20,000. The competition will run from 14 Dec 2016 until 08 March 2017. The winner will be announced in the spring 2017.

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