About Metrea:
Metrea is a global defence company specialising in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and advanced technology solutions for national security partners worldwide. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with UWE Bristol’s Centre for Machine Vision, the company worked to develop AI-powered software capable of detecting, tracking and classifying objects in orbit using airborne imagery.
About the Knowledge Base:
Researchers from UWE Bristol’s Centre for Machine Vision brought expertise in computer vision, machine learning and object modelling. Working alongside Metrea, the team helped develop and test innovative AI approaches capable of analysing complex orbital imagery, transforming early-stage research into a commercially viable solution.
Chris Dunn (Metrea), Louis Aberdeen (KTP Associate), Ryan Gery (Previous Company Supervisor),
and Ria Eyers (UWE) during a tour of the Engineering School.
About the KTP Associate:
KTP Associate Louis Aberdeen joined the project after graduating with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Bath. During the two-year partnership, Louis led much of the technical development, applying expertise in machine learning, optimisation and computer vision to help create a new AI-driven platform for space-domain analysis.
The experience enabled Louis to develop specialist skills in deep learning, image analysis and research translation, ultimately leading to a role as a Machine Learning Engineer.
Bristol Robotics Laboratory
About Innovate UK:
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. Their mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
The Challenge the KTP addressed
Tracking and identifying objects in orbit is becoming increasingly important as space becomes more congested. Existing methods can be expensive, technically complex and difficult to deploy at scale. Metrea wanted to explore whether AI and machine vision techniques could be used to improve the detection and classification of orbital objects using airborne imagery.
Louis Aberdeen (KTP Associate) at the International Space Show – Farnborough
The solution
Researchers from UWE Bristol’s Centre for Machine Vision worked alongside Metrea to develop new machine-learning approaches capable of detecting and classifying objects from airborne imagery.
The project combined expertise in computer vision, artificial intelligence and image analysis to create an analytical pipeline that could process complex imagery and identify objects of interest with greater speed and accuracy.
Throughout the partnership, the team iteratively tested, refined and validated the technology, including operational trials in real-world environments.
The Benefits of the KTP:
The partnership delivered significant benefits for both Metrea and UWE Bristol.
For Metrea, the project accelerated the development of innovative AI capabilities, helping the company move a promising concept towards commercial readiness. The work strengthened Metrea’s ability to analyse and interpret orbital imagery, creating opportunities for future applications in defence, security and space operations.
For UWE Bristol, the partnership provided an opportunity to apply cutting-edge machine vision research to a real-world challenge. The project generated new knowledge, strengthened industry collaboration and created opportunities for future research in artificial intelligence, image analysis and space technologies.
The KTP also delivered a substantial professional development opportunity for KTP Associate Louis Aberdeen. During the project, Louis developed specialist expertise in machine learning, computer vision and software development, gaining experience of translating research into practical solutions for industry.
The success of the partnership demonstrates how Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can bridge the gap between academic research and commercial innovation, helping businesses access specialist expertise while creating lasting impact for researchers, graduates and industry partners alike.
Impact:
The partnership delivered significant benefits for Metrea, UWE Bristol and KTP Associate Louis Aberdeen.
For Metrea, the project transformed LASSO from a data collection tool into a sophisticated analytics platform capable of generating operationally valuable insights. This work directly supported Ministry of Defence feasibility studies worth more than £1 million and opened opportunities for future software licensing, data sales and commercial applications.
The project also increased Metrea’s visibility across the defence and space sectors, with the technology showcased to organisations including NATO and the UK Ministry of Defence. Beyond its original focus on Space Domain Awareness, the research created opportunities for wider applications in Maritime Domain Awareness and signals intelligence.
For UWE Bristol’s Centre for Machine Vision, the partnership generated new research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications and a new area of applied research at the intersection of computer vision and space technologies. The project strengthened relationships with industry partners and created opportunities for future collaboration and research funding.
KTP Associate Louis Aberdeen played a central role in the project’s success, leading the technical development from image simulation through to advanced analytical techniques. The experience included operational data-collection flights in Florida, academic publishing opportunities and engagement with senior stakeholders across the business. Following the completion of the KTP, Louis secured a role as a Machine Learning Engineer, demonstrating the programme’s impact on graduate development and career progression.
Collectively, the project demonstrated how academic expertise and industry collaboration can accelerate innovation, transforming research into practical solutions with commercial, societal and strategic value.
What the partners have to say… “This was our first time working with a KTP and it has proved to be a very worthwhile venture. UWE Bristol was able to provide Metrea with an exceptional Associate who was able to adapt rapidly to the continued changing business demands throughout his period of work with us. His knowledge and adaptability provided rapid analytical outputs and support products to our customers and was most welcome as we used them across the globe tackling some of the most complex and wicked security problems faced today”. – Chris Dunn: Solution Architect at Metrea.
What the Knowledge Base partner has to say… “This was a highly ambitious KTP that has delivered excellently against its plan, in no small part down to the exceptional adaptability of the associate, Louis. It has been a pleasure for the academic team at the CMV to work with Metrea and especially with Louis and see him develop so much over the course of the KTP. The projects that Louis worked on while at Metrea have the potential to have a real impact on international defence as well as giving the CMV its first foray into space. We wish Louis the very best for his future and look forward to working with Metrea again.” Prof Mark Hansen.
KTP Associate… “The KTP has been a fantastic opportunity to develop both my technical and professional skills. Working to foster collaboration between the industry partner and knowledge base results in an outcome greater than the sum of its parts. A personal highlight was getting into the hangar with my KTP supervisor Ryan to troubleshoot the integration of LASSO into Metrea’s aircraft, crawling around on the floor checking we had all the correct port connections” Louis Aberdeen (KTP Space Data Analyst Associate).
From the Knowledge Transfer Adviser: “This innovation project has been very successful in enabling new revenue streams now and in the future for the Company as well as achieving significant societal benefits in early detection of fire, people smuggling and defence/space problems enabling early detection and real time actions to be taken
Louis has led the project with drive and determination and has successfully covered the technical and commercial challenges through excellent communication skills and innovative thinking.
The development of the deep learning-based image recovery system by the team is based on wide ranging technology integration into a working and practical system with a strong commercial focus and is a great example of how the KTP methodology works to achieve breakthrough solutions at pace”. Paul Spenley (Knowledge Transfer Adviser – IUK)
