Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (vSLAM) offers a lot of applications, which is why it is gaining popularity across the globe. As far as the commercial application is concerned, this technology is not developed enough yet. But it helps address the shortcomings of many navigation and vision systems. Therefore, it can become quite popular in the commercial industries as well. Let’s get a deeper insight into this technology.
First of all, it is important to keep in mind that visual SLAM is not the name of a specific software program or algorithm. The primary role of this technology is to identify the position and direction of a specific sensor in terms of its surroundings. At the same time, it helps map the environment that surrounds this sensor.
How Does it Work?
In most of these systems, successive camera frames are used to track set points. The idea is to triangulate their three-dimensional position. At the same time, this information is used to get an approximation of the camera pose. Primarily, these systems are used in order to map their surroundings with respect to the things around for better navigation.
Typically, 3D vision cameras used for this purpose, unlike other SLAM technologies. If there are enough tracking points in each frame, it is possible to understand the structure of the physical environment and the sensor orientation.
Types of Applications
Although visual SLAM has not developed yet, it has a lot of potential in different settings. But it is important to keep in mind that it plays a great role in the world of augmented reality. For the accurate projection of virtual images, precision mapping of the physical environment is required. And this is possible only with the help of visual SLAM technology.
Today, this technology is used in different field robots, such as lenders and robbers. Interestingly enough, this technology is used in the Land Rovers that were sent to Mars for exploration and navigation.
Aside from this, they are used in the field of agriculture. Field robots and drones use this technology to fly over crop fields. Besides, autonomous vehicles may use these systems to map and understand their surroundings.
Visual SLAM systems are capable of replacing GPS tracking navigation in some sectors. The problem with the GPS systems is that they are not that useful indoors. Besides, they are not that accurate. With the help of SLAM, these shortcomings can be eliminated. The reason is that these systems depend on satellites.
The thing is that this technology can be implemented in a lot of fields. This is the reason the demand for these systems will continue to rise. Since this technology is used in a lot of systems, many products such as autonomous vehicles will be available for the public down the road.
Long story short, this was an introduction to the visual SLAM technology and various sectors where it can be implemented successfully.