Concealment and Obstacle Detection for Autonomous Driving

Published

October 1, 1999

Author(s)

Tommy Chang, Tsai Hong Hong, Steven Legowik, Marilyn N. Abrams

Abstract

Obstacle detection and mapping are essential for unmanned autonomous driving. This paper describes both the sensors and the supporting software used in our system for driving autonomously on cross-country roads. The Ladar Range Imaging Camera (EBK) is used for monitoring the environment. We describe an algorithm developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for detecting obstacles and regions of concealment, and evaluate its ability to detect positive (e.g., rocks) and negative (e.g., ditches) obstacles and concealment regions. We discuss the mapping system used for representing general obstacles (positive, negative, and concealment.) In addition to using information provided by the EBK sensor, the mapping algorithm also uses information supplied by a Global Positioning System (GPS) and an Inertial Navigation System (INS). This system has been tested at NIST and has successfully detected obstacles and regions of concealment while driving cross country at speeds of 35 km/h.

Proceedings Title

Submitted to the International Association of Science & Technology for Development - Robotics & Applications99 Conference

Conference Dates

October 28-30, 1999

Conference Location

Santa Barbara, CA

Conference Title

Science & Technology for Development - Robotics & Applications99 Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Robotics & Intelligent Systems, Mobility, Vision, Unmanned Systems, algorithm evaluation, autonomous driving, Ladar range imaging, image processing.

Citation

Chang, T. , , T. , Legowik, S. and Abrams, M. (1999), Concealment and Obstacle Detection for Autonomous Driving, Submitted to the International Association of Science & Technology for Development - Robotics & Applications99 Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=820638 (Accessed October 11, 2025)