Graph-based SLAM on Normal Distributions Transform Occupancy Map

Abstract

Recent advances in Normal distributions transform occupancy map (NDT-OM) representation have proven to be a viable option for mapping static as well as dynamic environments. Scan registration methods using NDT maps offer a fast and reliable way of registering two laser scans. In this work, we combine 2D NDT mapping and scan matching with the graph-based representation of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). This novel approach uses NDT mini-maps for partial map storage inside the pose graph nodes. It also includes fast incremental scan matcher for odometry estimation. The scan matcher allows to create larger mini-maps which offer better loop closure validation. This work also presents a novel robust distribution to distribution (D2D)-NDT scan matching. It is used for loop closure registration and validation of correct matches. The implementation can operate as an online algorithm inside the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework. The algorithm was tested on MIT Stata Center datasets. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)