Decoupled stochastic mapping (DSM) is a computationally efficient approach to large-scale concurrent mapping and localization. DSM reduces the computational burden of conventional stochastic mapping by dividing the environment into multiple overlapping submap regions, each with its own stochastic map. Two new approximation techniques are utilized for transferring vehicle state information from one submap to another, yielding a constant-time algorithm whose memory requirements scale linearly with the size of the operating area. The performance of two different variations of the algorithm is demonstrated through simulations of environments with 110 and 1200 features. Experimental results are presented for an environment with 93 features using sonar data obtained in a 3 by 9 by 1 meter testing tank.

In this paper we describe a new technique for the creation of featurebased stochastic maps using standard Polaroid sonar sensors. The fundamental contributions of our proposal are: (1) a perceptual grouping process that permits the robust identification and localization of environmental features, such as straight segments and corners, from the sparse and noisy sonar data; (2) a map joining technique that allows the system to build a sequence of independent limited-size stochastic maps and join them in a globally consistent way; (3) a robust mechanism to determine which features in a stochastic map correspond to the same environment feature, allowing the system to update the stochastic map accordingly, and perform tasks such as revisiting and loop closing. We demonstrate the practicality of this approach by building a geometric map of a medium size, real indoor environment, with several people moving around the robot. Maps built from laser data for the same experiment are provided for comparison. Key words

We describe an efficient method for localizing a mobile robot in an environment with landmarks. We assume that the robot can identify these landmarks and measure their bearings relative to each other. Given such noisy input, the algorithm estimates the robot's position and orientation with respect to the map of the environment. The algorithm makes efficient use of our representation of the landmarks by complex numbers. The algorithm runs in time linear in the number of landmarks. We present results of simulations and propose how to use our method for robot navigation.

This paper describes decoupled stochastic mapping (DSM), a new computationally efficient approach to large-scale concurrent mapping and localization (CML). DSM reduces the computational burden of conventional stochastic mapping by dividing the environment into multiple overlapping submap regions, each with its own stochastic map. Two new approximation techniques are utilized for transferring vehicle state information from one submap to another, yielding a constant-time algorithm whose memory requirements scale linearly with the number of submaps. The approach is demonstrated via simulations and experiments. Simulation results are presented for the case of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigating in an unknown environments with 110 and 1200 features using simulated observations of point features by a forward look sonar. Empirical tests are used to examine the consistency of the error bounds calculated by the different methods. Experimental results are also presented for an environment with 93 features using sonar data obtained in a 3 by 9 by 1 m testing tank.

In this paper we present a technique for mapping partially observable features from multiple uncertain vantage points. The problem of concurrent mapping and localization (CML) is stated as follows. Starting from an initial known position, a mobile robot travels through a sequence of positions, obtaining a set of sensor measurements at each position. The goal is to process the sensor data to produce an estimate of the trajectory of the robot while concurrently building a map of the environment. In this paper, we describe a generalized framework for CML that incorporates temporal as well as spatial correlations. The representation is expanded to incorporate past vehicle positions in the state vector. Estimates of the correlations between current and previous vehicle states are explicitly maintained. This enables the consistent initialization of map features using data from multiple time steps. Updates to the map and the vehicle trajectory can also be performed in batches of data acquired from multiple vantage points. The method is illustrated with sonar data from a testing tank and via experiments with a B21 land mobile robot, demonstrating the ability to perform CML with sparse and ambiguous data. KEY WORDS—mapping, navigation, mobile robots 1.

In many applications in mobile robotics, it is important for a robot to explore its environment in order to construct a representation of space useful for guiding movement. We refer to such a representation as a map, and the process of constructing a map from a set of measurements as map learning. In this paper, we develop a framework for describing map-learning problems in which the measurements taken by the robot are subject to known errors. We investigate approaches to learning maps under such conditions based on Valiant’s probably approximately correct learning model. We focus on the problem of coping with accumulated error in combining local measurements to make global inferences. In one approach, the effects of accumulated error are eliminated by the use of local sensing methods that never mislead but occasionally fail to produce an answer. In another approach, the effects of accumulated error are reduced to acceptable levels by repeated exploration of the area to be learned. We also suggest some insights into why certain existing techniques for map learning perform as well as they do. The learning problems explored in this paper are quite different from most of the classification and boolean-function learning problems appearing in the literature. The methods described, while specific to map learning, suggest directions to take in tackling other learning problems.

One of the most challenging aspects of concurrent mapping and localization (CML) is the problem of data association. Because of uncertainty in the origins of sensor measurements, it is difficult to determine the correspondence between measured data and features of the scene or object being observed, while rejecting spurious measurements. However, there are many important applications of mobile robots where maps need to be built of complex environments, consisting of composite features, from noisy sensor data. This paper reviews several new approaches to data association and feature modeling for CML that share the common theme of combining information from multiple uncertain vantage points while rejecting spurious data. Our results include: (1) feature-based mapping from laser data using robust segmentation, (2) map-building with sonar data using a novel application of the Hough transform for perception grouping, and (3) a new stochastic framework for making delayed decisions for combination of data from multiple uncertain vantage points. Experimental results are shown for CML using laser and sonar data from a B21 mobile robot.

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While probabilistic techniques have been considered extensively in the context of metric maps, no general purpose probabilistic methods exist for topological maps. We present the concept of Probabilistic Topological Maps (PTMs), a samplebased representation that approximates the posterior distribution over topologies given the available sensor measurements. The PTM is obtained through the use of MCMC-based Bayesian inference over the space of all possible topologies. It is shown that the space of all topologies is equivalent to the space of set partitions of all available measurements. While the space of possible topologies is intractably large, our use of Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling to infer the approximate histograms overcomes the combinatorial nature of this space and provides a general solution to the correspondence problem in the context of topological mapping. We present experimental results that validate our technique and generate good maps even when using only odometry as the sensor measurements.

This paper will present an algorithm for path planning to a goal with a mobile robot in an unknown environment. The robot maps the environment only to the extent that is necessary to achieve the goal. Mapping is achieved using tactile sensing while the robot is executing a path to the specified goal. Paths are generated by treating unknown regions in the environment as free space. As obstacles are encountered en route to a goal, the model of the environment is updated and a new path to the goal is planned and executed. Initially the paths to the goal generated by this algorithm will be negotiable paths. However as the robot acquires more knowledge about the environment, the length of the planned paths will be optimised. The optimisation criteria can be modified to favour or avoid unexplored regions in the environment. The algorithm presented in this paper makes use of the quadtree data structure to model the environment and uses the distance transform methodology to generate paths for ...