Intelligent underwater acoustic imaging system and corresponding method

An underwater acoustic imaging system (1) designed to be coupled to a water vehicle (100) for inspection of a water volume, comprising:

• an acoustic imaging device (2) configured to acquire, in real time, three-dimensional acoustic images relating to said water volume;
• a mechanical movement module (3) coupled to the acoustic imaging device (2) to cause underwater movement thereof;
• and
• an electronic unit (4) coupled to said acoustic imaging device (2) and mechanical movement module (3),
• wherein said electronic unit (4) is configured to control said mechanical movement module (3) for the implementation of two distinct operating phases of said acoustic imaging device (2), cooperating to generate a continuous stream of said three-dimensional acoustic images:
• a searching phase, in which said acoustic imaging device (2) is designed to be held substantially still and is configured to scan said water volume as a result of a movement of said water vehicle (100);
• and an in-depth analysis phase, in which said acoustic imaging device (2) is designed to be driven in a scanning movement by said mechanical movement module (3) for an in-depth analysis of an element of interest identified in said water volume.