The XH-map algorithm: A method to process stereo video to produce a real-time obstacle map

Abstract

This paper presents a novel, simple and fast algorithm to produce a "floor plan" obstacle map in real time using video. The XH-map algorithm is a transformation of stereo vision data in disparity map space into a two dimensional obstacle map space using a method that can be likened to a histogram reduction of image information. The classic floor-ground background noise problem is addressed with a simple one-time semi-automatic calibration method incorporated into the algorithm. This implementation of this algorithm utilizes the Intel Performance Primitives library and OpenCV libraries for extremely fast and efficient execution, creating a scaled obstacle map from a 480x640x256 stereo pair in 1.4 milliseconds. This algorithm has many applications in robotics and computer vision including enabling an "Intelligent Robot" robot to "see" for path planning and obstacle avoidance.