Relative velocity measurement using low cost single camera-based stereo vision system

Abstract

Measurement of depth and relative velocity of a moving object from a camera system are the most important issues in different applications of computer vision such as robotic vision, intelligent vehicle etc. From the human stereo vision system, we know that, there is a slight difference between the two images captured by our two eyes at a particular instant due to the difference in positions of our eyes on our face. This difference is known as disparity and has a significant role in determining the distance of an object from our eyes. The same principle and disparity may be used as a parameter for measuring the relative velocity of an object which has relative motion towards or away from the camera system. This article presents a novel low cost, low resolution stereo vision system based on a single camera, which may be used to measure the position and relative velocity of a moving object. This new system is very simple in design, low cost and capable of measuring the depth and relative velocity with desirable accuracy.