47 research outputs found
Global Localization in Unstructured Environments using Semantic Object Maps Built from Various Viewpoints
We present a novel framework for global localization and guided
relocalization of a vehicle in an unstructured environment. Compared to
existing methods, our pipeline does not rely on cues from urban fixtures (e.g.,
lane markings, buildings), nor does it make assumptions that require the
vehicle to be navigating on a road network. Instead, we achieve localization in
both urban and non-urban environments by robustly associating and registering
the vehicle's local semantic object map with a compact semantic reference map,
potentially built from other viewpoints, time periods, and/or modalities.
Robustness to noise, outliers, and missing objects is achieved through our
graph-based data association algorithm. Further, the guided relocalization
capability of our pipeline mitigates drift inherent in odometry-based
localization after the initial global localization. We evaluate our pipeline on
two publicly-available, real-world datasets to demonstrate its effectiveness at
global localization in both non-urban and urban environments. The Katwijk Beach
Planetary Rover dataset is used to show our pipeline's ability to perform
accurate global localization in unstructured environments. Demonstrations on
the KITTI dataset achieve an average pose error of 3.8m across all 35
localization events on Sequence 00 when localizing in a reference map created
from aerial images. Compared to existing works, our pipeline is more general
because it can perform global localization in unstructured environments using
maps built from different viewpoints.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, presented at IROS 202
Find your Way by Observing the Sun and Other Semantic Cues
In this paper we present a robust, efficient and affordable approach to
self-localization which does not require neither GPS nor knowledge about the
appearance of the world. Towards this goal, we utilize freely available
cartographic maps and derive a probabilistic model that exploits semantic cues
in the form of sun direction, presence of an intersection, road type, speed
limit as well as the ego-car trajectory in order to produce very reliable
localization results. Our experimental evaluation shows that our approach can
localize much faster (in terms of driving time) with less computation and more
robustly than competing approaches, which ignore semantic information
Integration of GIS and DSS: a methodology to evaluate low carbon strategies in a smart urban metabolism context
An Urban Metabolism system can be examined by evaluating the incoming and
outgoing energy flows of a city.
Academics and researchers have utilized Urban Metabolism framework to analyze
different urban areas and have begun to extend the framework beyond the
city-region unit of analysis to inform related aspects of the Urban Metabolism:
in this context UM framework is a tool that can be useful in the decision making
process.
This study aims to be an opportunity and an example of environmental
analysis of UM, from the point of view of CO2eq emissions and absorptions.
A multi-objective Decision Support System is developed with the aim of minimizing
the environmental, social and economic impacts of the CO2eq emissions
at the municipal level.
The Decision Support System has been implemented and a few scenario
analyses were developed: enhancement of energy efficiency of residential and
industrial buildings, increase of green areas, production of electricity by means
of photovoltaic installation on site, efficiency of the vehicle fleet and finally,
proper recycling of waste.
The municipality of Tavagnacco recognizes this approach as a new perspective
of analysis for a future comparison project with other municipalities.
From this comparison it is expected to get results that can accredit the most
convenient method from the environmental, social and economic point of view,
and can offer the basis for the improvement of energy efficiency.
Results of this work can provide evidence in support of an increased awareness
in issues related to the CO2eq reduction.Il metabolismo di un sistema urbano pu`o essere esaminato cercando di sviluppare
e comprendere i flussi energetici in ingresso e in uscita dalla citt`a.
Accademici e ricercatori hanno utilizzato questo approccio al fine di valutare
diverse aree urbane e hanno recentemente esteso il quadro di indagine al di l`a
dell\u2019unit`a di citt`a-regione al fine di utilizzare questo strumento nell\u2019ambito del
processo decisionale di pianificazione del territorio.
Questo percorso vuole definire una possibile metodologia e un esempio di
approccio spaziale ad un\u2019analisi di bilancio comunale di CO2eq.
E\u2019 stato sviluppato un Sistema di Supporto alle Decisioni multiobiettivo,
con il fine di minimizzare l\u2019impatto ambientale oltre a quello sociale e quello
economico delle emissioni di CO2eq su scala comunale.
Il Sistema di Supporto alle Decisioni ha previsto l\u2019implementazione di alcuni
scenari di analisi quali l\u2019incentivazione dell\u2019efficientamento energetico degli edi-
fici residenziali ma anche industriali, l\u2019aumento delle aree a verde, la produzione
di energia elettrica in loco mediante impianto fotovoltaico, l\u2019efficientamento del
parco veicolare e infine una valida raccolta differenziata.
Il comune di Tavagnacco conosce le sfide future in merito ai problemi ambientali
e si impegna in un progetto pilota di valutazione delle emissioni di CO2eq.
In un prossimo futuro si delinea un lavoro di confronto tra comuni che utilizzano
metodi di abbattimento delle emissioni. Da questo confronto ci si aspetta
di ottenere risultati che possano accreditare il metodo pi`u conveniente dal punto
di vista ambientale, economico e sociale, e quindi offrire delle basi per una valutazione
sull\u2019opportunit`a di miglioramento ed efficientamento energetico a livello
comunale e sovracomunale.
Si auspica che i risultati di questo lavoro possano offrire elementi convincenti
a supporto di un atteggiamento sempre pi`u attento alle problematiche legate alla
riduzione delle emissioni di CO2eq
Software Porting of a 3D Reconstruction Algorithm to Razorcam Embedded System on Chip
A method is presented to calculate depth information for a UAV navigation system from Keypoints in two consecutive image frames using a monocular camera sensor as input and the OpenCV library. This method was first implemented in software and run on a general-purpose Intel CPU, then ported to the RazorCam Embedded Smart-Camera System and run on an ARM CPU onboard the Xilinx Zynq-7000. The results of performance and accuracy testing of the software implementation are then shown and analyzed, demonstrating a successful port of the software to the RazorCam embedded system on chip that could potentially be used onboard a UAV with tight constraints of size, weight, and power. The potential impacts will be seen through the continuation of this research in the Smart ES lab at University of Arkansas
A Review of Deep Learning Methods and Applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Deep learning is recently showing outstanding results for solving a wide variety of robotic tasks in the areas of perception, planning, localization, and control. Its excellent capabilities for learning representations from the complex data acquired in real environments make it extremely suitable for many kinds of autonomous robotic applications. In parallel, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are currently being extensively applied for several types of civilian tasks in applications going from security, surveillance, and disaster rescue to parcel delivery or warehouse management. In this paper, a thorough review has been performed on recent reported uses and applications of deep learning for UAVs, including the most relevant developments as well as their performances and limitations. In addition, a detailed explanation of the main deep learning techniques is provided. We conclude with a description of the main challenges for the application of deep learning for UAV-based solutions