Lab Meeting 1 Feb 2007 (Any): Dynamic Maps for Long-Term Operation of Mobile Service Robots

Title: Dynamic Maps for Long-Term Operation of Mobile Service Robots
Authors: Peter Biber, Tom Duckett
Conference: Robotics: Science and System 2005 (RSS'05)
Local Copy: [PDF]

Abstract:

This paper introduces a dynamic map for mobile robots that adapts continuously over time. It resolves the stability-plasticity dilemma (the trade-off between adaptation to new patterns and preservation of old patterns) by representing the environment over multiple timescales simultaneously (5 in our experiments). A sample-based representation is proposed, where older memories fade at different rates depending on the timescale. Robust statistics are used to interpret the samples. It is shown that this approach can track both stationary and non-stationary elements of the environment, covering the full spectrum of variations from moving objects to structural changes. The method was evaluated in a five week experiment in a real dynamic environment. Experimental results show that the resulting map is stable, improves its quality over time and adapts to changes.