Project description
A SLAM solution for real-world uses
From smartphones to augmented reality (AR), simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) promises to be transformative. It can identify the position and orientation of our device to create a map of the environment using camera input feed. The EU-funded SLAM4AR project will develop new algorithms for the motion of a camera and a precise 3D reconstruction of the observed environment. This new technology can also enable object insertion within the 3D environment. The real-world applications are many and range from education (showing medical students the 3D location of bones and inner organs) to industry (auto mechanics can view the inner structures of a motor) and culture (tourists will be able to navigate to a certain location in a museum).
Objective
The PoC Project SLAM4AR is focused on developing technological foundations for advanced augmented reality (AR) applications on smartphones. According to a recent study of Hampleton & Partners, the market value for AR applications is expected to break the $170 billion barrier by 2022. And a significant share of this market value will come from smartphone applications. In the PoC project SLAM4AR, we will build up on state-of-the-art algorithms for visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) that we developed in the ERC CoG “3D Reloaded”. These algorithms allow one to recover the motion of a camera and a 3D reconstruction of the observed environment at unprecedented precision, robustness and large-scale capability (among existing real-time capable algorithms). We will reformulate and streamline these algorithms so that they can run on smartphones. They will leverage the smartphone’s camera and inertial sensor in order to compute in real-time both the location of the phone and a 3D map of the environment. In several AR applications, we will demonstrate that our algorithms with their superior precision and robustness serve as a key enabler for advanced AR technology. For example, we can perform object insertion (beyond Pokemon Go) in a way that dynamic objects interact more naturally and faithfully with a complex 3D environment – they accurately sit on chairs or tables, or they convincingly roll down slopes, etc. This will enable numerous AR applications such as teaching medical students about the 3D location of bones and inner organs, training novice car mechanics in the inner structures of a motor. Or navigating tourists to a desired location in a museum or a church. There is a rapidly growing market for AR applications on phones and we are convinced that our smartphone-based visual SLAM technology will serve as a key enabler.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsmobile phones
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum PilotHost institution
80333 Muenchen
Germany