Development of the binocular-vision-enhanced mobile robot navigation

Abstract

Active map learning for autonomous robots exploring in unknown environments is an essential and vital issue for robot navigation. However, many factors limit a robot's ability to learn accurate map models in practice. To enhance its learning capability, this paper proposed a binocular vision system, developed using IP web cameras and MATLAB image processing toolbox. It integrates knowledge from computer vision and robot navigation. Through the binocular vision system, binocular images are captured and analysed so that feature objects or shapes are identified. Together with sonar readings, this information is used in collision avoidance and map building. It is shown that the capability of active map learning is effectively realised by adopting this binocular vision system.