Automatic Dense 3D Scene Mapping from Non-overlapping Passive Visual Sensors for Future Autonomous Systems

The ever increasing demand for higher levels of autonomy for robots and vehicles means there is an ever greater need for such systems to be aware of their surroundings. Whilst solutions already exist for creating 3D scene maps, many are based on active scanning devices such as laser scanners and depth cameras that are either expensive, unwieldy, or do not function well under certain environmental conditions. As a result passive cameras are a favoured sensor due their low cost, small size, and ability to work in a range of lighting conditions. In this work we address some of the remaining research challenges within the problem of 3D mapping around a moving platform. We utilise prior work in dense stereo imaging, Stereo Visual Odometry (SVO) and extend Structure from Motion (SfM) to create a pipeline optimised for on vehicle sensing. Using forward facing stereo cameras, we use state of the art SVO and dense stereo techniques to map the scene in front of the vehicle. With significant amounts of prior research in dense stereo, we addressed the issue of selecting an appropriate method by creating a novel evaluation technique. Visual 3D mapping of dynamic scenes from a moving platform result in duplicated scene objects. We extend the prior work on mapping by introducing a generalized dynamic object removal process. Unlike other approaches that rely on computationally expensive segmentation or detection, our method utilises existing data from the mapping stage and the findings from our dense stereo evaluation. We introduce a new SfM approach that exploits our platform motion to create a novel dense mapping process that exceeds the 3D data generation rate of state of the art alternatives. Finally, we combine dense stereo, SVO, and our SfM approach to automatically align point clouds from non-overlapping views to create a rotational and scale consistent global 3D model

Point Track Creation in Unordered Image Collections Using Gomory-Hu Trees

Geometric reconstruction from image collections is a classical computer vision problem. The problem essentially consists of two steps; First, the identification of matches and assembling of point tracks, and second, multiple view geometry computations. In this paper we address the problem of constructing point tracks using graph theoretical algorithms. From standard descriptor matches between all pairs of images we construct a graph representing all image points and all possible matches. Using Gomory-Hu trees we make cuts in the graph to construct the individual point tracks. We present both theoretical and experimental results (on real datasets) that clearly demonstrates the benefits of using our approach

Positionnement robuste et précis de réseaux d’images

To compute a 3D representation of a rigid scene from a collection of pictures is now possible thanks to the progress made by the multiple-view stereovision methods, even with a simple camera. The reconstruction process, arising from photogrammetry, consists in integrating information from multiple images taken from different viewpoints in order to identify the relative positions and orientations. Once the positions and orientations (external calibration) of the cameras are retrieved, the structure of the scene can be reconstructed. To solve the problem of calculating the Structure from Motion (SfM), sequential and global methods have been proposed. By nature, sequential methods tend to accumulate errors. This is observable in trajectories of cameras that are subject to drift error. When pictures are acquired around an object it leads to reconstructions where the loops do not close. In contrast, global methods consider the network of cameras as a whole. The configuration of cameras is searched and optimized in order to preserve at best the constraints of the cyclical network. Reconstructions of better quality can be obtained, but at the expense of computation time. This thesis aims at analyzing critical issues at the heart of these methods of external calibration and at providing solutions to improve their performance(accuracy , robustness and speed) and their ease of use (restricted parametrization).We first propose a fast and efficient feature tracking algorithm. We then show that the widespread use of a contrario robust estimation of parametric models frees the user from choosing detection thresholds, and allows obtaining a reconstruction pipeline that automatically adapts to the data. Then in a second step, we use the adaptive robust estimation and a series of convex optimizations to build a scalable global calibration chain. Our experiments show that the a contrario based estimations improve significantly the quality of the pictures positions and orientations, while being automatic and without parameters, even on complex camera networks. Finally, we propose to improve the visual appearance of the reconstruction by providing a convex optimization to ensure the color consistency between imagesCalculer une représentation 3D d'une scène rigide à partir d'une collection d'images est aujourd'hui possible grâce aux progrès réalisés par les méthodes de stéréo-vision multi-vues, et ce avec un simple appareil photographique. Le principe de reconstruction, découlant de travaux de photogrammétrie, consiste à recouper les informations provenant de plusieurs images, prises de points de vue différents, pour identifier les positions et orientations relatives de chaque cliché. Une fois les positions et orientations de caméras déterminées (calibration externe), la structure de la scène peut être reconstruite. Afin de résoudre le problème de calcul de la structure à partir du mouvement des caméras (Structure-from-Motion), des méthodes séquentielles et globales ont été proposées. Par nature, les méthodes séquentielles ont tendance à accumuler les erreurs. Cela donne lieu le plus souvent à des trajectoires de caméras qui dérivent et, lorsque les photos sont acquises autour d'un objet, à des reconstructions où les boucles ne se referment pas. Au contraire, les méthodes globales considèrent le réseau de caméras dans son ensemble. La configuration de caméras est recherchée et optimisée pour conserver au mieux l'ensemble des contraintes de cyclicité du réseau. Des reconstructions de meilleure qualité peuvent être obtenues, au détriment toutefois du temps de calcul. Cette thèse propose d'analyser des problèmes critiques au cœur de ces méthodes de calibration externe et de fournir des solutions pour améliorer leur performance (précision, robustesse, vitesse) et leur facilité d'utilisation (paramétrisation restreinte).Nous proposons tout d'abord un algorithme de suivi de points rapide et efficace. Nous montrons ensuite que l'utilisation généralisée de l'estimation robuste de modèles paramétriques a contrario permet de libérer l'utilisateur du réglage de seuils de détection, et d'obtenir une chaine de reconstruction qui s'adapte automatiquement aux données. Puis dans un second temps, nous utilisons ces estimations robustes adaptatives et une formulation du problème qui permet des optimisations convexes pour construire une chaine de calibration globale capable de passer à l'échelle. Nos expériences démontrent que les estimations identifiées a contrario améliorent de manière notable la qualité d'estimation de la position et de l'orientation des clichés, tout en étant automatiques et sans paramètres, et ce même sur des réseaux de caméras complexes. Nous proposons enfin d'améliorer le rendu visuel des reconstructions en proposant une optimisation convexe de la consistance colorée entre image

Operational Research: Methods and Applications

Throughout its history, Operational Research has evolved to include a variety of methods, models and algorithms that have been applied to a diverse and wide range of contexts. This encyclopedic article consists of two main sections: methods and applications. The first aims to summarise the up-to-date knowledge and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art methods and key developments in the various subdomains of the field. The second offers a wide-ranging list of areas where Operational Research has been applied. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners. The entries within the methods and applications sections are presented in alphabetical order. The authors dedicate this paper to the 2023 Turkey/Syria earthquake victims. We sincerely hope that advances in OR will play a role towards minimising the pain and suffering caused by this and future catastrophes

Operational research:methods and applications

Throughout its history, Operational Research has evolved to include a variety of methods, models and algorithms that have been applied to a diverse and wide range of contexts. This encyclopedic article consists of two main sections: methods and applications. The first aims to summarise the up-to-date knowledge and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art methods and key developments in the various subdomains of the field. The second offers a wide-ranging list of areas where Operational Research has been applied. The article is meant to be read in a nonlinear fashion. It should be used as a point of reference or first-port-of-call for a diverse pool of readers: academics, researchers, students, and practitioners. The entries within the methods and applications sections are presented in alphabetical order

Genetics and Improvement of Forest Trees

Forest tree improvement has mainly been implemented to enhance the productivity of artificial forests. However, given the drastically changing global environment, improvement of various traits related to environmental adaptability is more essential than ever. This book focuses on genetic information, including trait heritability and the physiological mechanisms thereof, which facilitate tree improvement. Nineteen papers are included, reporting genetic approaches to improving various species, including conifers, broad-leaf trees, and bamboo. All of the papers in this book provide cutting-edge genetic information on tree genetics and suggest research directions for future tree improvement

LIPIcs, Volume 261, ICALP 2023, Complete Volume

LIPIcs, Volume 261, ICALP 2023, Complete Volum

LIPIcs, Volume 244, ESA 2022, Complete Volume

LIPIcs, Volume 244, ESA 2022, Complete Volum