Odometry Estimation for Aerial Manipulators

Abstract

This chapter explains a fast and low-cost state localization estimation method for small-sized UAVs, that uses an IMU, a smart camera and an infrared time-of-flight range sensor that act as an odometer providing absolute attitude, velocity, orientation, angular rate and acceleration at a rate higher than 100 Hz. This allows estimating almost continuously the localization of the aerial robot, when GPS or other methods can at most reach 5 Hz. This technique does not require creating a map for localization.