A novel method for mobile robot simultaneous localization and mapping

A novel mobile robot simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) method is implemented by using the Rao- Blackwellized particle filter (RBPF) for monocular vision-based autonomous robot in unknown indoor environment. The particle filter combined with unscented Kalman filter (UKF) for extending the path posterior by sampling new poses integrating the current observation. Landmark position estimation and update is implemented through UKF. Furthermore, the number of resampling steps is determined adaptively, which greatly reduces the particle depletion problem. Monocular CCD camera mounted on the robot tracks the 3D natural point landmarks structured with matching image feature pairs extracted through Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). The matching for multi-dimension SIFT features which are highly distinctive due to a special descriptor is implemented with a KD-Tree. Experiments on the robot Pioneer3 showed that our method is very precise and stable.

Robust Iterated Sigma Point FastSLAM Algorithm for Mobile Robot Simultaneous Localization and Mapping

Simultaneous localization and mapping （SLAM） is a key technology for mobile robots operating under unknown environment. While FastSLAM algorithm is a popular solution to the SLAM problem, it suffers from two major drawbacks： one is particle set degeneracy due to lack of observation information in proposal distribution design of the particle filter; the other is errors accumulation caused by linearization of the nonlinear robot motion model and the nonlinear environment observation model. For the purpose of overcoming the above problems, a new iterated sigma point FastSLAM （ISP-FastSLAM） algorithm is proposed. The main contribution of the algorithm lies in the utilization of iterated sigma point Kalman filter （ISPKF）, which minimizes statistical linearization error through Gaussian-Newton iteration, to design an optimal proposal distribution of the particle filter and to estimate the environment landmarks. On the basis of Rao-Blackwellized particle filter, the proposed ISP-FastSLAM algorithm is comprised by two main parts： in the first part, an iterated sigma point particle filter （ISPPF） to localize the robot is proposed, in which the proposal distribution is accurately estimated by the ISPKF; in the second part, a set of ISPKFs is used to estimate the environment landmarks. The simulation test of the proposed ISP-FastSLAM algorithm compared with FastSLAM2.0 algorithm and Unscented FastSLAM algorithm is carried out, and the performances of the three algorithms are compared. The simulation and comparing results show that the proposed ISP-FastSLAM outperforms other two algorithms both in accuracy and in robustness. The proposed algorithm provides reference for the optimization research of FastSLAM algorithm.

Mobile Robot Hierarchical Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Using Monocular Vision

A hierarchical mobile robot simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) method that allows us to obtain accurate maps was presented. The local map level is composed of a set of local metric feature maps that are guaranteed to be statistically independent. The global level is a topological graph whose arcs are labeled with the relative location between local maps. An estimation of these relative locations is maintained with local map alignment algorithm, and more accurate estimation is calculated through a global minimization procedure using the loop closure constraint. The local map is built with Rao-Blackwellised particle filter (RBPF), where the particle filter is used to extending the path posterior by sampling new poses. The landmark position estimation and update is implemented through extended Kalman filter (EKF). Monocular vision mounted on the robot tracks the 3D natural point landmarks, which are structured with matching scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) feature pairs. The matching for multi-dimension SIFT features is implemented with a KD-tree in the time cost of O(lbN). Experiment results on Pioneer mobile robot in a real indoor environment show the superior performance of our proposed method.

Mobile robot simultaneous localization and map building based on improved particle filter

We present an investigation into the use of pan tilt zoom camera and sonar sensors for simuhaneous localization and mapping with artificial colored landmarks. An improved particle filter is applied to estimate a posterior of the pose of the robot, in which each particle has associated it with an entire map. The distributions of landmarks are also represented by particle sets, where separate particles are used to represent the robot and the landmarks. Hough transform is used to extract line segments from sonar observations and build map simultaneously. The key advantage of our method is that the full posterior over robot poses and landmarks can be nonlinearly approximated at every point in time by particles. Especially the landmarks are affixed on the moving robots, which can reduce the impact of the depletion problem and the impoverishment problem produced by basic particle filter. Experimental results show that this approach has advantages over the basic particle filter and the extended Kalman filter.

Localization of Mobile Robot Aided for Large-Scale Construction Based on Optimized Artificial Landmark Map in Ongoing Scene

The effectiveness of mobile robot aided for architectural construction depends strongly on its accurate localization ability.Localization of mobile robot is increasingly important for the printing of buildings in the construction scene.Although many available studies on the localization have been conducted,only a few studies have addressed the more challenging problem of localization for mobile robot in large-scale ongoing and featureless scenes.To realize the accurate localization of mobile robot in designated stations,we build an artificial landmark map and propose a novel nonlinear optimization algorithm based on graphs to reduce the uncertainty of the whole map.Then,the performances of localization for mobile robot based on the original and optimized map are compared and evaluated.Finally,experimental results show that the average absolute localization errors that adopted the proposed algorithm is reduced by about 21%compared to that of the original map.

Review of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Technology in the Agricultural Environment

Simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM)is one of the most attractive research hotspots in the field of robotics,and it is also a prerequisite for the autonomous navigation of robots.It can significantly improve the autonomous navigation ability of mobile robots and their adaptability to different application environments and contribute to the realization of real-time obstacle avoidance and dynamic path planning.Moreover,the application of SLAM technology has expanded from industrial production,intelligent transportation,special operations and other fields to agricultural environments,such as autonomous navigation,independent weeding,three-dimen-sional(3D)mapping,and independent harvesting.This paper mainly introduces the principle,sys-tem framework,latest development and application of SLAM technology,especially in agricultural environments.Firstly,the system framework and theory of the SLAM algorithm are introduced,and the SLAM algorithm is described in detail according to different sensor types.Then,the devel-opment and application of SLAM in the agricultural environment are summarized from two aspects:environment map construction,and localization and navigation of agricultural robots.Finally,the challenges and future research directions of SLAM in the agricultural environment are discussed.

Localization and navigation using a novel artificial landmark for indoor mobile robots

This paper presents a practical topological navigation system for indoor mobile robots, making use of a novel artificial landmark which is called MR code. This new kind of paper-made landmarks earl be easi- ly attached on the ceilings or on the walls, lmealization algorithms for the two cases are given respective- ly. A docking control algorithm is also described, which a robot employs to approach its current goal. A simple topological navigation algorithm is proposed. Experiment results show the effectiveness of the method in real environment.

Mobile robot localization algorithm based on multi-sensor information fusion

In order to effectively reduce the uncertainty error of mobile robot localization with a single sensor and improve the accuracy and robustness of robot localization and mapping,a mobile robot localization algorithm based on multi-sensor information fusion(MSIF)was proposed.In this paper,simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM)was realized on the basis of laser Rao-Blackwellized particle filter(RBPF)-SLAM algorithm and graph-based optimization theory was used to constrain and optimize the pose estimation results of Monte Carlo localization.The feature point extraction and quadrilateral closed loop matching algorithm based on oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF(ORB)were improved aiming at the problems of generous calculation and low tracking accuracy in visual information processing by means of the three-dimensional(3D)point feature in binocular visual reconstruction environment.Factor graph model was used for the information fusion under the maximum posterior probability criterion for laser RBPF-SLAM localization and binocular visual localization.The results of simulation and experiment indicate that localization accuracy of the above-mentioned method is higher than that of traditional RBPF-SLAM algorithm and general improved algorithms,and the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed method are verified.

Robot SLAM with Ad hoc wireless network adapted to search and rescue environments

An innovative multi-robot simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM)is proposed based on a mobile Ad hoc local wireless sensor network(Ad-WSN).Multiple followed-robots equipped with the wireless link RS232/485module act as mobile nodes,with various on-board sensors,Tp-link wireless local area network cards,and Tp-link wireless routers.The master robot with embedded industrial PC and a complete robot control system autonomously performs the SLAM task by exchanging information with multiple followed-robots by using this self-organizing mobile wireless network.The PC on the remote console can monitor multi-robot SLAM on-site and provide direct motion control of the robots.This mobile Ad-WSN complements an environment devoid of usual GPS signals for the robots performing SLAM task in search and rescue environments.In post-disaster areas,the network is usually absent or variable and the site scene is cluttered with obstacles.To adapt to such harsh situations,the proposed self-organizing mobile Ad-WSN enables robots to complete the SLAM process while improving the performances of object of interest identification and exploration area coverage.The information of localization and mapping can communicate freely among multiple robots and remote PC control center via this mobile Ad-WSN.Therefore,the autonomous master robot runs SLAM algorithms while exchanging information with multiple followed-robots and with the remote PC control center via this local WSN environment.Simulations and experiments validate the improved performances of the exploration area coverage,object marked,and loop closure,which are adapted to search and rescue post-disaster cluttered environments.

A novel robust approach for SLAM of mobile robot

The task of simultaneous localization and mapping （SLAM） is to build environmental map and locate the position of mobile robot at the same time. FastSLAM 2.0 is one of powerful techniques to solve the SLAM problem. However, there are two obvious limitations in FastSLAM 2.0, one is the linear approximations of nonlinear functions which would cause the filter inconsistent and the other is the ＂particle depletion＂ phenomenon. A kind of PSO ＆ Hjj-based FastSLAM 2.0 algorithm is proposed. For maintaining the estimation accuracy, H~ filter is used instead of EKF for overcoming the inaccuracy caused by the linear approximations of nonlinear functions. The unreasonable proposal distribution of particle greatly influences the pose state estimation of robot. A new sampling strategy based on PSO （particle swarm optimization） is presented to solve the ＂particle depletion＂ phenomenon and improve the accuracy of pose state estimation. The proposed approach overcomes the obvious drawbacks of standard FastSLAM 2.0 algorithm and enhances the robustness and efficiency in the parts of consistency of filter and accuracy of state estimation in SLAM. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach.

Investigation on mobile robot navigation based on Kinect sensor

Mobile robot navigation in unknown environment is an advanced research hotspot.Simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM)is the key requirement for mobile robot to accomplish navigation.Recently,many researchers study SLAM by using laser scanners,sonar,camera,etc.This paper proposes a method that consists of a Kinect sensor along with a normal laptop to control a small mobile robot for collecting information and building a global map of an unknown environment on a remote workstation.The information(depth data)is communicated wirelessly.Gmapping(a highly efficient Rao-Blackwellized particle filer to learn grid maps from laser range data)parameters have been optimized to improve the accuracy of the map generation and the laser scan.Experiment is performed on Turtlebot to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

A new multisensor fusion SLAM approach for mobile robots

This paper presents a novel method, which enhances the use of external mechanisms by considering a multisensor system, composed of sonars and a CCD camera. Monocular vision provides redundant information about the location of the geometric entities detected by the sonar sensors. To reduce ambiguity significantly, an improved and more detailed sonar model is utilized. Moreover, Hough transform is used to extract features from raw sonar data and vision image. Information is fused at the level of features. This technique significantly improves the reliability and precision of the environment observations used for the simultaneous localization and map building problem for mobile robots. Experimental results validate the favorable performance of this approach.

多传感器融合的SLAM算法在林业智能化的应用与改进

同步定位与建图(SLAM)算法可实现机器人在未知环境下的定位,并对周围环境构建增量式地图,是机器人实现自主导航的基础。针对单一传感器(全球导航卫星系统(GNSS)、激光、相机等)的SLAM算法在林区环境存在定位精度低、构建的地图一致性较差的问题,提出了多传感器融合的SLAM算法在林业智能化的应用与改进。首先,联合使用激光雷达、单目相机、惯导对林区环境构建三维点云地图的同时对林业机器人进行实时定位;其次,提出以时间为约束的RS-T回环帧搜索法,进行候选回环帧搜索。结果表明:针对M2DGR数据集,RS-LVI-SAM算法与当前经典的SLAM算法对比,RS-LVI-SAM算法生成轨迹的均方根误差与标准差分别为0.09和0.04 m,定位精度最高;在林区场景中,RS-LVI-SAM算法建立的林区点云地图中侧柏的胸径与真实胸径的均方根误差与绝对平均误差分别为1.27、1.16 cm,建图效果最佳;生成的轨迹与真实轨迹的均方根误差与绝对平均误差分别为0.46、0.34 m,定位精度最高。因此,RS-LVI-SAM算法可以实现林区环境下的精准定位与林区点云地图构建,为机器人林区作业提供了技术支撑。

An RGB-D Camera Based Visual Positioning System for Assistive Navigation by a Robotic Navigation Aid

There are about 253 million people with visual impairment worldwide.Many of them use a white cane and/or a guide dog as the mobility tool for daily travel.Despite decades of efforts,electronic navigation aid that can replace white cane is still research in progress.In this paper,we propose an RGB-D camera based visual positioning system(VPS)for real-time localization of a robotic navigation aid(RNA)in an architectural floor plan for assistive navigation.The core of the system is the combination of a new 6-DOF depth-enhanced visual-inertial odometry(DVIO)method and a particle filter localization(PFL)method.DVIO estimates RNA’s pose by using the data from an RGB-D camera and an inertial measurement unit(IMU).It extracts the floor plane from the camera’s depth data and tightly couples the floor plane,the visual features(with and without depth data),and the IMU’s inertial data in a graph optimization framework to estimate the device’s 6-DOF pose.Due to the use of the floor plane and depth data from the RGB-D camera,DVIO has a better pose estimation accuracy than the conventional VIO method.To reduce the accumulated pose error of DVIO for navigation in a large indoor space,we developed the PFL method to locate RNA in the floor plan.PFL leverages geometric information of the architectural CAD drawing of an indoor space to further reduce the error of the DVIO-estimated pose.Based on VPS,an assistive navigation system is developed for the RNA prototype to assist a visually impaired person in navigating a large indoor space.Experimental results demonstrate that:1)DVIO method achieves better pose estimation accuracy than the state-of-the-art VIO method and performs real-time pose estimation(18 Hz pose update rate)on a UP Board computer;2)PFL reduces the DVIO-accrued pose error by 82.5%on average and allows for accurate wayfinding(endpoint position error≤45 cm)in large indoor spaces.

A novel algorithm for SLAM in dynamic environments using landscape theory of aggregation

To tackle the problem of simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM) in dynamic environments, a novel algorithm using landscape theory of aggregation is presented. By exploiting the coherent explanation how actors form alignments in a game provided by the landscape theory of aggregation, the algorithm is able to explicitly deal with the ever-changing relationship between the static objects and the moving objects without any prior models of the moving objects. The effectiveness of the method has been validated by experiments in two representative dynamic environments: the campus road and the urban road.

基于IMU-LiDAR紧耦合的煤矿防冲钻孔机器人定位导航方法

防冲钻孔机器人是冲击地压矿井卸压的关键设备,其在复杂卸压巷道的精确地图构建和的稳定导航是实现钻孔作业智能化的基础和前提。在分析激光雷达点云畸变成因和同步定位与地图构建(SLAM)算法缺陷的基础上,设计了基于惯性测量单元(IMU)连续时间轨迹的点云畸变矫正方法,建立了激光雷达和IMU的数据融合模型,提出了基于IMU-LiDAR紧耦合的防冲钻孔机器人定位建图方法。根据煤矿卸压巷道特点建立了密闭坡道模型,开展了建图效果仿真分析,结果表明,所提算法在定位精度、轨迹误差方面均优于现有常用算法。在此基础上,设计了基于改进人工势场法和快速扩展随机树的动态路径规划方法,建立了适用于防冲钻孔机器人的路径规划与导航融合方案,并设计了2种仿真运动场景,结果表明,所提路径规划方法在全局路径规划和动态路径规划的平均路径长度、平均运行时间、平均生成节点数等方面均具有较好的综合性能。为了进一步验证防冲钻孔机器人定位导航方法的实用性,在校内模拟巷道、地面实验基地和井下卸压巷道等场景下开展了多组对比实验,结果表明:将IMU数据与LiDAR数据紧耦合后,所提方法的定位建图精度明显提高,在特征退化场景中具有优越的定位建图性能,且规划路径的运算效率和路径代价方面均具有良好的表现,验证了所提定位导航方法在多种场景中的可行性和优越性。

基于深度学习的移动机器人语义SLAM方法研究

为了给移动机器人提供细节丰富的三维语义地图,支撑机器人的精准定位,本文提出一种结合RGB-D信息与深度学习结果的机器人语义同步定位与建图方法。改进了ORB-SLAM2算法的框架,提出一种可以构建稠密点云地图的视觉同步定位与建图系统;将深度学习的目标检测算法YOLO v5与视觉同步定位与建图系统融合,反映射为三维点云语义标签,结合点云分割完成数据关联和物体模型更新,并用八叉树的地图形式存储地图信息;基于移动机器人平台,在实验室环境下开展移动机器人三维语义同步定位与建图实验,实验结果验证了本文语义同步定位与建图算法的语义信息映射、点云分割与语义信息匹配以及三维语义地图构建的有效性。

Optimal Positioning of Mobile Platforms for Accurate Manipulation Operations

Many mobile robotics applications, especially in industrial environments, require the robot to perform safe navigation and then reach the goal with a high precision. In this research work, the objective is to analyze the appropriateness of autonomous natural navigation strategies for mobile manipulation tasks. The system must position itself in a realistic map, follow a path closely and then achieve an accurate positioning in the destination point in order to be able to perform the manipulation, inspection or pick task efficiently. Autonomous navigation is not able to fulfill the accuracy required by some of the jobs so that a second positioning system using vision is proposed in this paper. The experiments show that localization systems have, on average, an error greater than a decimetre and how an additional positioning system can reduce it to a few millimetres.

基于高斯采样优化Gmapping的SLAM方法

针对现在移动机器人(Robot Operating System,ROS)的导航问题,传统基于粒子滤波的即时定位与地图构建(Simultaneous Localization And Mapping,SLAM)算法包括Gmapping等在粒子传播过程中出现误差较大、无法适应大环境等问题,提出一种基于高斯采样优化的方法。由于激光雷达匹配的数据方差和误差比运动学模型更小,可以对运动学模型传播的预测(proposal)分布在一个比较狭小的区域内采样,并将激光匹配数据替换成高斯分布,从而可以用更少的粒子便覆盖机器人的概率分布,实现更好的SLAM建图与定位效果。实验结果表明,优化的Gmapping在建图细节上处理得更好,有利于后续机器人的导航与路径规划。

基于激光SLAM多地形机器人的设计

为解决传统轮式机器人在复杂地形中受限与腿式机器人控制策略复杂的问题,提出一种多地形机器人。结合激光即时定位与地图构建(SLAM)方法和自适应式轮腿机构,将树莓派作为运算单元,搭载(ROS)机器人操作系统,应用激光SLAM技术实现环境地图构建和机器人导航,同时结合深度模型和摄像头完成图像任务。自适应式轮腿机械结构使机器人能够根据环境需求自动切换为轮式或腿式行进模式。底层控制器采用STM32F407,机器人通过PID算法能实现精准的移动和机械臂作业。结果表明:该多地形机器人控制方法简单高效,在坡地、草地、坑地、台阶障碍物等复杂地形中展现了灵活移动的能力,最大翻越障碍高度可达250 mm,爬坡角度可达45°,在稳定性和适应性方面具有显著优势。