Robert E. Sampson

Environmental Research Institute of Michigan

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Robert E. Sampson is a pioneering figure in the field of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and robotic vision. His foundational research, conducted primarily in the 1980s, focused on developing real-time, 3D feature extraction techniques using range information from laser radar sensors. Sampson’s major contributions include advancing methods for recognizing 3D objects in low-contrast and partially occluded scenes—a critical challenge for autonomous robotic systems. His work on high-speed processing for robot control and the implementation of 3D imaging sensors directly enabled practical applications in bin picking, robotic guidance, and industrial inspection. With his most-cited paper, “Techniques For Real-Time, 3D, Feature Extraction Using Range Information,” garnering 20 citations, Sampson’s research laid the groundwork for modern 3D vision systems. His comprehensive reviews of sensor operating principles and relative merits helped shape the commercial adoption of laser radar range imaging. Though his citation counts reflect the niche, early-stage nature of his work, Sampson’s innovations were instrumental in transitioning 3D imaging from theoretical concepts to tangible, industrial solutions, influencing generations of roboticists and computer vision engineers.