LOCALIZATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOBILE REMOTE INSPECTION AND/OR MANIPULATION TOOLS IN CONFINED SPACES

摘要

A localization method and system for mobile remote inspection and/or manipulation tools in confined spaces are provided. The system comprises a mobile remote inspection and/or manipulation device including a carrier movable within the confined space and an inspection and/or manipulation tool, such as an inspection camera, pose sensors arranged on the movable carrier for providing signals indicative of the position and orientation of the movable carrier, and distance sensors arranged on the movable carrier for providing signals indicative of the distance to interior surfaces of the confined space. The localization method makes use of probalistic sensor fusion of the measurement data provided by the pose sensors and the distance sensors in order to precisely determine the actual pose of the movable carrier and localize data generated by the inspection and/or manipulation tool.