Spherical-model-based SLAM on full-view images for indoor environments

Abstract

As we know, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) relies on surroundings. A full-view image provides more benefits to SLAM than a limited-view image. In this paper, we present a spherical-model-based SLAM on full-view images for indoor environments. Unlike traditional limited-view images, the full-view image has its own specific imaging principle (which is nonlinear), and is accompanied by distortions. Thus, specific techniques are needed for processing a full-view image. In the proposed method, we first use a spherical model to express the full-view image. Then, the algorithms are implemented based on the spherical model, including feature points extraction, feature points matching, 2D-3D connection, and projection and back-projection of scene points. Thanks to the full field of view, the experiments show that the proposed method effectively handles sparse-feature or partially non-feature environments, and also achieves high accuracy in localization and mapping. An experiment is conducted to prove that the accuracy is affected by the view field.