The detection and tracking of moving objects is an essential task in robotics. The CMU-RI Navlab group has developed such a system that uses a laser scanner as its primary sensor. We will describe our algorithm and its use in several applications. Our system worked successfully on indoor and outdoor platforms and with several different kinds and configurations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional laser scanners. The applications vary from collision warning systems, people classification, observing human tracks, and input to a dynamic planner. Several of these systems were evaluated in live field tests and shown to be robust and reliable. C ○ 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 1.

Despite regulations specifying parking spots that support wheelchair vans, it is not uncommon for end users to encounter problems with clearance for van ramps. Even if a driver elects to park in the far reaches of a parking lot as a precautionary measure, there is no guarantee that the spot next to their van will be empty when they return. Likewise, the prevalence of older drivers who experience significant difficulty with ingress and egress from vehicles is nontrivial and the ability to fully open a car door is important. This work describes a method and user interaction for low cost, short-range parking without a driver in car. This will enable ingress/egress without the doors being blocked by neighboring cars.