Laser-Scanning Backpack Creates Instant 3-D Maps of Building
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Saw this on PopSci, thought it may be of interest to some folks here,
@unknownuser said:
The research team, which is the same group that's behind the tech used by Google Earth to create three-dimensional cityscapes, has adopted their mapping tech for the individual person. While wearing the pack, humans take on the role of those Google Street View cars that roll around cities snapping images that can be laid over maps.
But while Google Earth uses GPS to create its 3-D renderings, the team had to figure out another way to model interiors in 3-D (GPS isn't very reliable indoors). The solution was an inertial management unit (IMU) like those used in guided missiles. The IMU figures out where the backpack is relative to where it just was, the cameras gnerate a four-direction view, and the lasers record the geometry of the world around them.More at:
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Interesting.
Thanks for the post.
Now, why would anybody want that???
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Well think the possibilities would be endless depending on how accurate it is. I could see it very useful for building renovations.
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Another route would be to use the Leica Disto laser measuring device with bluetooth data transfer to a tablet pc loaded with a cad program, or sketchup. A little more tedious, but in fact has been done/ is being done by lease agents doing inventory.
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Well if there's a student in robotic and/or computer vision, I have a challenge: use an iPhone to do exactly the same think regarding modelling interior of buildings. I'm sure it can be done (well I have just a doubt about having the model in real time). And if you have it, please contact me, I know someone within the firm I'm working with who would be interested.
To come back to the solution introduced here, it's disappointing to see so much technology to do what is done for a while with less. Robots have used LIDAR and cameras to model their environment and locate themselves for a while. Hopefully they want a resolution that only a laser can provide but I think with today's technology we can achieve the same resolution with cameras (according you are not looking for one under a few millimeters).
Just to make my point regarding the fact that only a camera is enough: have a look at the following commercial services I know http://www.arc3d.be/ , http://www.cogent3d.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82&Itemid=86 . I had also several papers from academics on the topic. But still nothing from someone creating the 3D model of an interior environment with a Smartphone
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