Recognition of Moving Objects and Safe zone by Image Processing

Abstract

Image processing is widely used in order to sense the environment surrounding mobile robots. A CCD camera is one of typical image sensing devices and it is used as an eye of a mobile robot, because the sensing area of a CCD camera is large and suitable to detect obstacles in front of it. We are developing a guide robot and an autonomous small vehicle to assist the visually impaired person and the aged. Various functions for support are installed in the guide robot, especially, obstacle avoidance functions necessary to ensure the safety of the user. When the guide robot is moving, the avoidance of not only the static objects but also moving objects is necessary. As the guide robot estimates the direction of the movement of approaching objects and emits a warning about its own movement, the user and the guide robot can safely pass by moving objects such as pedestrians and bicycles. In this research, we aim at the improvement of the safety of the guide robot and it proposes a method of recognizing moving objects by image processing.