Review of the Learning-based Camera and Lidar Simulation Methods for Autonomous Driving Systems

Perception sensors, particularly camera and Lidar, are key elements of Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS) that enable them to comprehend their surroundings for informed driving and control decisions. Therefore, developing realistic camera and Lidar simulation methods, also known as camera and Lidar models, is of paramount importance to effectively conduct simulation-based testing for ADS. Moreover, the rise of deep learning-based perception models has propelled the prevalence of perception sensor models as valuable tools for synthesising diverse training datasets. The traditional sensor simulation methods rely on computationally expensive physics-based algorithms, specifically in complex systems such as ADS. Hence, the current potential resides in learning-based models, driven by the success of deep generative models in synthesising high-dimensional data. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art in learning-based sensor simulation methods and validation approaches, focusing on two main types of perception sensors: cameras and Lidars. This review covers two categories of learning-based approaches, namely raw-data-based and object-based models. Raw-data-based methods are explained concerning the employed learning strategy, while object-based models are categorised based on the type of error considered. Finally, the paper illustrates commonly used validation techniques for evaluating perception sensor models and highlights the existing research gaps in the area

Plato\u27s analogical thought

The philosophical concept of analogy is fundamental to the theory of imaging that characterizes Plato’s metaphysics, cosmology, and methodology. While Plato never explicitly conceptualizes the philosophical role of analogy, his dialogues are rife with analogies and images that are often pivotal to the thought expressed there. An analysis of celebrated analogies such as the sun and the good in the Republic, the “second sailing” in the Phaedo, the “receptacle” (chōra) in the Timaeus, and the example of weaving in the Statesman reveals that even if the theory each elucidates is not explicitly concerned with analogy, the theories these images enable are structured by analogy. Thus, although there is no theory of analogy in Plato’s dialogues, the dialogues’ theory is itself analogical. Given this, the broader philosophical point that any account of reflection will have recourse to the structure of analogy because of the unique capacity of the analogical form to reflect the nature of similarity without occluding difference, something a mere likeness is unable to accomplish. It is concluded, therefore, that i) in its thinking, rather than merely in its expression, Plato’s philosophy is analogical and ii) analogy is key to philosophy’s self-reflection

Analogies in Physics

This thesis investigates what tools are appropriate for answering the question how it is possible to develop such a complex theory in physics as the standard model of particle physics with only an access via electromagnetic interaction of otherwise unobservable objects and their interactions it was investigated what the tools are to do this. The answer is found in the usage of essentially two types of analogies. These two types are explanatory and predictive analogies. Explanatory analogies are needed to link observed new phenomena to accepted scientific theoretical models of well-known phenomena, predictive analogies to find in possible experiments further new phenomena not already observed. The possibilities of observation and the related conditions are the main reason to use analogies as well in the development of theories, as in the representation of experiments especially in high energy physics, because there we find only charged particles observable via electromagnetic interaction. Other neutral particles with no charge are concludable only by visualization of their assumed tracks filling the gaps between the tracks of charged and therefore in some way observable particles. Today this is only possible with the help of computers evaluating the huge amount of data delivered by extremely complex detectors using the electromagnetic interaction in different ways. This visualization is also a kind of analogy because in fact all the particles are not observable directly, only their electromagnetic interaction if it occurs. My investigation considered reasons for the following questions: Why in philosophy of science analogies were neglected during about one hundred years? How can analogies be characterized? And at last, as point of origination for my investigation where have analogies played an important role the development of high energy physics from the explanation of the constitution of the atomic core to the postulation of quarks, mainly in original publications? Important in this task is especially the consideration of the context which determines in some way the possible directions of development, however, no direction of development in general. The intention in my thesis was to shed some more light on the epistemological side of scientific work in physics and how analogies could help enabling this task. The method used was primarily text analysis of mostly original publications of leading physicists

From Mother to Sister: The Development in the Understanding of Mission in the Life and Writings of St Thérèse of Lisieux and its Contemporary Relevance

This dissertation analyses the development in the understanding of mission in the life and writings of St Thérèse of Lisieux and considers its contemporary significance. The thesis is that Thérèse progressed from a ‘mother missiology’ to a ‘sister missiology.’ This missiological evolution is intrinsically united to Thérèse’s transcendence of the faith-categories of her era. Initially, with her Catholic contemporaries, Thérèse regarded it as her duty to ‘mother’ unbelievers into divine life. This ‘mother missiology’ gradually became ‘sister missiology’ as two movements of grace, namely the emergence of the ‘little way’ and Thérèse’s intensifying union with Jesus, the kenotic Christ, took Thérèse beyond her era’s vision of faith. The paradigm of ‘sister missiology’ has an entwined dual dynamic: radical solidarity with unbelievers and radical receptivity to the gratuitous outpouring of God’s love. Sister missiology is demonstrated to be a potentially vital enabler of the Church’s missionary agenda in the twenty-first century. It is able to facilitate the realisation of the missionary objectives of the Second Vatican Council and offers a road-map for the Church’s engagement with postmodernity. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Theology from the University of Notre Dame, Australia, 2006

At War with Zola

This lecture was presented at the 13th Annual Conference of the Society of Dix-Neuviémistes by Nicholas White (University of Cambridge). © 2015 Nicholas White

Dickens's London

Taking Walter Benjamin's Arcades Project as an inspiration, Dickens's London offers an exciting and original project that opens a dialogue between phenomenology, philosophy and the Dickensian representation of the city in all its forms. Julian Wolfreys suggests that in their representations of London - its streets, buildings, public institutions, domestic residences, rooms and phenomena that constitute such space - Dickens's novels and journalism can be seen as forerunners of urban and material phenomenology. While also addressing those aspects of the urban that are developed from Dickens's interpretations of other literary forms, styles and genres, Dickens's London presents in twenty-six episodes (from Banking and Breakfast via the Insolvent Court, Melancholy and Poverty, to Todgers and Time, Voice and Waking) a radical reorientation to London in the nineteenth century, the development of Dickens as a writer, and the ways in which readers today receive and perceive both