Non-isotropic Omnidirectional Imaging System for an Autonomous Mobile Robot

Abstract

A real-time omnidirectional imaging system that can acquire an omnidirectional field of view at video rate using a convex mirror was applied to a variety of conditions. The imaging system consists of an isotropic convex mirror and a camera pointing vertically toward the mirror with its optical axis aligned with the mirror's optical axis. Because of these optics, angular resolution is independent of the azimuth angle. However, it is important for a mobile robot to find and avoid obstacles in its path. We consider that angular resolution in the direction of the robot's moving needs higher resolution than that of its lateral view. In this paper, we propose a non-isotropic omnidirectional imaging system for navigating a mobile robot.