In previous years, many methods providing the ability to recognize rigid obstacles-sedans and trucks-have been developed. These methods provide the driver with relevant information. They are able to cope reliably with scenarios on motorways. Nevertheless, not much attention has been given to image processing approaches to increase the safety of pedestrians in urban environments. In the paper, a method for the detection, tracking, and final recognition of pedestrians crossing the moving observer's trajectory is suggested. A combination of data- and model-driven approaches is realized. The initial detection process is based on a fusion of texture analysis, model-based grouping of, most likely, the geometric features of pedestrians, and inverse-perspective mapping (binocular vision). Additionally, motion patterns of limb movements are analyzed to determine initial object-hypotheses. The tracking of the quasirigid part of the body is performed by different algorithms that have been successfully employed for the tracking of sedans, trucks, motorbikes, and pedestrians. The final classification is obtained by a temporal analysis of the walking process.
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