Localization using infrared beacons

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with a localization system allowing one to determine the position and orientation of a mobile robot. This system uses active beacons distributed at the ceiling of the navigation area. These beacons can transmit a coded infrared signal which allows the robots to identify the sender. A CCD camera associated to an infrared receiver allows one to compute the position with a triangulation method which needs reduced processing time. Calibration and correcting distortion stages are performed to improve accuracy in the determination of the position. Dynamic localisation is established for most actual mobile robots used in indoor areas.