Title: Obstacle detection with a Photonic Mixing Device-camera in autonomous vehicles

Authors: Thomas Schamm, J. Marius Zollner, Stefan Vacek, Joachim Schroder, Rudiger Dillmann

Addresses: Interactive Diagnosis and Service Systems, Research Center for Information Technologies (FZI) Karlsruhe D-76131, Germany. ' Interactive Diagnosis and Service Systems, Research Center for Information Technologies (FZI) Karlsruhe D-76131, Germany. ' Institute of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Karlsruhe (TH), Karlsruhe D-76128, Germany. ' Institute of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Karlsruhe (TH), Karlsruhe D-76128, Germany. ' Institute of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Karlsruhe (TH), Karlsruhe D-76128, Germany

Abstract: In autonomous vehicles as well as in modern driver assistance systems, obstacle detection shows to be the most important task to be achieved. This paper presents a collision avoidance system, based on a modern Time-Of-Flight camera. These cameras allow a 3D perception of the environment, in which obstacles can be detected, independent of special features. Thus, the system is capable of all kinds of objects, including pedestrians as well as bicycles or vehicles. The used Photonic Mixing Device (PMD) camera has a measurement range of up to 50 m. The system is integrated into an autonomous vehicle, on which detected obstacles are investigated in detail. The vehicle steering commands are then generated by a behaviour network, depending on the presence of obstacles in the driving lane.

Keywords: autonomous vehicles; obstacle avoidance; PMD camera; photonic mixing device; obstacle detection; collision avoidance; vehicle steering; steering commands; behaviour network.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2008.021294

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.315 - 324

Published online: 18 Nov 2008 *

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