Real-time landmark-based optical vehicle self-location

Merrill D. Squiers; Michael P. Whalen; Gary Moody; Charles J. Jacobus; Mark J. Taylor

doi:10.1117/12.241082

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27 May 1996 Real-time landmark-based optical vehicle self-location

Merrill D. Squiers, Michael P. Whalen, Gary Moody, Charles J. Jacobus, Mark J. Taylor

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Proceedings Volume 2738, Navigation and Control Technologies for Unmanned Systems; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241082
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1996, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

This paper presents a system for performing real-time vehicular self-location through a combination of triangulation of target sightings and low-cost auxiliary sensor information (e.g. accelerometer, compass, etc.). The system primarily relies on the use of three video cameras to monitor a dynamic 1 80° field of view. Machine vision algorithms process the imagery from this field of view searching for targets placed at known locations. Triangulation results are then combined with the past video processing results and auxiliary sensor information to arrive at real-time vehicle location update rates in excess of 10 Hz on a single low-cost conventional CPU. To supply both extended operating range and nighttime operational capabilities, the system also possesses an active illumination mode that utilizes multiple, inexpensive infrared LED's to act as the illuminating source for reflective targets. This paper presents the design methodology used to arrive at the system, explains the overall system concept and process flow, and will briefly discuss actual results of implementing the system on a standard commercial vehicle. Keywords: Machine Vision, Self-Location, Autonomous Vehicles, Infrared Sensing, Position Determination

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Merrill D. Squiers, Michael P. Whalen, Gary Moody, Charles J. Jacobus, and Mark J. Taylor "Real-time landmark-based optical vehicle self-location", Proc. SPIE 2738, Navigation and Control Technologies for Unmanned Systems, (27 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241082

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