Title: Fast Monte-Carlo Localization on Aerial Vehicles using Approximate Continuous Belief Representations,
Abstract: Size, weight, and power constrained platforms impose constraints on
computational resources that introduce unique challenges in implementing
localization algorithms. We present a framework to perform fast localization on
such platforms enabled by the compressive capabilities of Gaussian Mixture
Model representations of point cloud data. Given raw structural data from a
depth sensor and pitch and roll estimates from an on-board attitude reference
system, a multi-hypothesis particle filter localizes the vehicle by exploiting
the likelihood of the data originating from the mixture model. We demonstrate
analysis of this likelihood in the vicinity of the ground truth pose and detail
its utilization in a particle filter-based vehicle localization strategy, and
later present results of real-time implementations on a desktop system and an
off-the-shelf embedded platform that outperform localization results from
running a state-of-the-art algorithm on the same environment.