MIT has developed a real-time mapping system for rescuers
During the rescue and search operations, it is vital for spashers to always clearly understand where they are in the building, what are the shortest evacuation routes, what premises have already been examined and where their colleagues are working at that moment. This problem is especially acute in case of fire and smoke. MIT created an individual system for automatically building a room map, which allows the rescuer to always know where he is.
Simultaneous navigation and mapping algorithms used in robotics usually work only in two dimensions - the robot rolls smoothly on wheels in a room with a flat floor. For a new sensor, the ability to build complex three-dimensional maps of high-rise buildings in any conditions is crucial.
The system is based on a laser range finder. It measures the exact distance to the walls of the room and furniture. Autonomous robots are usually supplied with such range finders, but when a person carries a sensor, the task becomes much more difficult - it is necessary to constantly monitor the angles of the scanner relative to the horizon. In addition, in order for the map to be three-dimensional, you need to know at what height the sensor is located. To do this, use gyroscopes, accelerometers and barometer.
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The prototype of the device fits on a plastic panel the size of a tablet and, in addition to the sensors mentioned above, contains a lightweight version of Microsoft Kinect. Every few meters the camera takes a picture of the environment and relates it to the data of the range finders. The software recognizes and remembers the characteristic details of the image in order to refine the map if the person turns out to be in the same place again. When constructing a map, an error is accumulated, which under adverse conditions can reach a meter or more. “Recognizing” the places that people have visited before, the system compensates for this error.
In industrial production, the size of the system can be reduced to almost the size of a conventional cup — all sensors, except lidar, can be made very compact. In addition, the device will allow you to make voice notes attached to specific places on the map, for example, noting the damage and dangerous places. During the rescue operation such devices can be equipped with all the spas. Information from them will be collected together from the operator, who will be able to effectively coordinate the work of individual groups. Similar devices can be found for military or police use.
Source - MIT news .
Simultaneous navigation and mapping algorithms used in robotics usually work only in two dimensions - the robot rolls smoothly on wheels in a room with a flat floor. For a new sensor, the ability to build complex three-dimensional maps of high-rise buildings in any conditions is crucial.
The system is based on a laser range finder. It measures the exact distance to the walls of the room and furniture. Autonomous robots are usually supplied with such range finders, but when a person carries a sensor, the task becomes much more difficult - it is necessary to constantly monitor the angles of the scanner relative to the horizon. In addition, in order for the map to be three-dimensional, you need to know at what height the sensor is located. To do this, use gyroscopes, accelerometers and barometer.
')
The prototype of the device fits on a plastic panel the size of a tablet and, in addition to the sensors mentioned above, contains a lightweight version of Microsoft Kinect. Every few meters the camera takes a picture of the environment and relates it to the data of the range finders. The software recognizes and remembers the characteristic details of the image in order to refine the map if the person turns out to be in the same place again. When constructing a map, an error is accumulated, which under adverse conditions can reach a meter or more. “Recognizing” the places that people have visited before, the system compensates for this error.In industrial production, the size of the system can be reduced to almost the size of a conventional cup — all sensors, except lidar, can be made very compact. In addition, the device will allow you to make voice notes attached to specific places on the map, for example, noting the damage and dangerous places. During the rescue operation such devices can be equipped with all the spas. Information from them will be collected together from the operator, who will be able to effectively coordinate the work of individual groups. Similar devices can be found for military or police use.
Source - MIT news .
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/152337/
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