The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Download
Publications Copernicus
Download
Citation
Articles | Volume XLVIII-2/W1-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-2-W1-2022-101-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-2-W1-2022-101-2022
08 Dec 2022
 | 08 Dec 2022

EVALUATION OF LOW-COST DEPTH SENSORS FOR OUTDOOR APPLICATIONS

R. Haenel, Q. Semler, E. Semin, P. Grussenmeyer, and S. Tabbone

Keywords: low cost, depth imaging, LiDAR, ToF sensors, 3D scanning, computer vision, sensor systems

Abstract. Depth information is a key component that allows a computer to reproduce human vision in plenty of applications from manufacturing, to robotics and autonomous driving. The Microsoft Kinect has brought depth sensing to another level resulting in a large number of low cost, small form factor depth sensors. Although these sensors can efficiently produce data over a wide dynamic range of sensing applications and within different environments, most of them are rather suitable for indoor applications. Operating in outdoor areas is a challenge because of undesired illumination, usually strong sunlight or surface scattering, which degrades measurement accuracy. Therefore, after presenting the different working principle of existing depth cameras, our study aims to evaluate where two very recent sensors, the AD-FXTOF1-EBZ and the flexx2, stand towards the issue of outdoor environment. In particular, measurement tests will be performed on different types of materials subjected to various illumination in order to evaluate the potential accuracy of such sensors.