SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING (SLAM)

WHAT IS SIMULTANEOUS LOCALIZATION AND MAPPING (SLAM)?

A technical mapping technique called SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) enables robots and other autonomous vehicles to create a map and localize themselves on that map at the same time. Even though there are many individual mapping and localization methods available, SLAM's complexity arises from combining mapping and localization at the same time.

How Slam Works?

By recognizing multiple marks and indications in its environment, a vehicle or robot using SLAM navigates an uncharted area.

It locates landmarks, calculates its location in reference to those markers, and then keeps exploring the predetermined region until it has gathered enough landmarks to produce an extensive map of the area. With this technique, a SLAM-capable device may simultaneously map a location and locate itself inside of it.

Methods of Slam

To learn more about the front-end processing component, let’s take a look at visual SLAM and lidar SLAM – two different methods of SLAM.

1. Visual SLAM

Visual SLAM, also known as vSLAM, employs pictures captured by cameras and other image sensors, as the name indicates. Simple cameras may be used in visual SLAM. Using relatively cheap cameras allows for the implementation of visual SLAM at a minimal cost. Furthermore, because cameras provide a lot of information, they may be utilized to recognize landmarks (previously measured positions). Furthermore, landmark detection and graph-based optimization may be used to achieve flexibility in SLAM implementation.

2. LiDAR SLAM

Lidar is a technique that primarily makes use of a laser sensor (also known as a distance sensor).

A LiDAR sensor is a range measurement tool that uses light to pinpoint the location of unknown objects. One of the greatest and most well-liked solutions for any simultaneous localization and mapping solution is the use of LiDAR scanners.

By releasing a laser at a target and timing how long it takes for the signal to return, LiDAR technology (short for light detection and ranging) uses light energy to gather data from a surface. The resulting 3D models and maps will be extremely precise due to the data.

A SLAM system using LiDAR can collect precise, extremely accurate data about any barrier or landmark, even those that may be challenging for the human eye to see, as LiDAR requires little to no light to function. Robotic warehouses frequently employ 2D LiDAR SLAM, while 3D LiDAR SLAM is being used in anything from mining operations to autonomous vehicles.