REAL-TIME THERMAL CAMERA BASED ODOMETRY AND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Thermal imaging odometry and navigation systems and related techniques are provided to improve the operational flexibility of autonomous/unmanned vehicles. A thermal imaging odometry system includes a thermal imaging module configured to be coupled to an unmanned vehicle, a ranging sensor system fixed to the thermal imaging module, and a logic device. The thermal imaging module provides thermal imagery of a scene in view of the unmanned vehicle and centered about an optical axis of the thermal imaging module, where the optical axis is fixed relative to an orientation of the unmanned vehicle. The ranging sensor system provides ranging sensor data indicating a standoff distance between the thermal imaging module and a surface intersecting the optical axis of the thermal imaging module. The logic device receives thermal images of the scene and corresponding ranging sensor data and determines an estimated relative velocity of the unmanned vehicle.