Simultaneous Localization And Mapping refers to the process of updating a model’s position estimate by integrating data from multiple sources. For example, in warehouses or hospitals, SLAM techniques are used in robotics or mobile robots to map indoor environments, where the robot may use odometry (sensing its own motion) for local exploration and a laser scanner to build a 3D map. In other cases, such as mobile WiFi-based outdoor positioning systems, simultaneous localization can be combined with dead reckoning to achieve lag-free positioning while maximizing battery life.
Applications of SLAM
Robotics
The first area where SLAM could be applied is robotics. It allows robots to perform various activities, from basic to advanced.
Teaching robots new skills or new tasks is both time-consuming and costly. SLAM makes this process easy because it enables a robot’s onboard computer to learn multiple tasks simultaneously. This way, robot technicians do not need to spend time teaching the robot how to perform these tasks individually. As seen at Dioram SLAM can rapidly build an understanding of its surrounding environment, it can easily keep track of itself concerning that environment and allows it to move seamlessly between different environments without losing its sense of direction or position. For example, consider a robot with SLAM capabilities.
Once the robot knows where it concerns the known world, it can then go on to learn how to move from one location to another. It does not need to be told how each skill is performed individually because the robot will figure out what needs to be done using its map and onboard sensors. Since these new skills are learned based on real-time sensor information received during locomotion, there is no danger of failure due to an unexpected obstacle or change in the environment.
Emergency Response
Another way SLAM is being used today is to aid emergency response efforts in natural disasters. Just like the above example, robots equipped with SLAM can navigate through areas that have been damaged or destroyed to locate survivors and provide aid. These robots are also beneficial for performing dangerous tasks like searching for toxic materials or entering a decontaminated zone to check equipment.
In theory, any task that a human could perform could be undertaken by a robot equipped with SLAM capabilities. The only difference is that the robot will have an ideal ability to traverse more dangerous environments such as buildings that have partially collapsed.
Military Applications
SLAM is also being used in military action for a variety of reasons. It gives soldiers on the ground a clearer view of what is happening around them, preventing them from being caught by surprise. It also helps soldiers work more effectively with each other since they can coordinate better when they know their location relative to the others in their group.
In addition, SLAM can help soldiers in battle by providing real-time information about their operating environments. That can make it possible for them to avoid obstacles and change strategies in real time as they work toward their goals.
Monitoring The Environment
SLAM is used in monitoring the environment. Environmental monitoring includes a wide range of activities, from tracking pollution levels to studying changes in the land over time. In addition, mapping information can be used to create a virtual representation of the physical world for viewers worldwide, either online or in person. Examples include 3D scans of an archaeological site or an urban cityscape for tourists and other interested parties.
Pharmaceutical Research
SLAM is also helpful for pharmaceutical research. When a patient is being monitored with a series of sensors, those sensors must be able to record the information they need promptly. SLAM abilities can help these devices access the required information by making it easy to record and store data. This way, patients can be given a quicker diagnosis and better treatment options.
Media And Entertainment
SLAM has multiple applications in media and entertainment. For example, it has been used to create virtual reality games. That can allow people to interact with their environments in new ways they never thought possible. SLAM also enhances shopping experiences because it allows vendors to understand and accurately portray their products online.
Another example is the use of SLAM in televisions. These devices automatically tune to the channel with the best signal to prevent customers from being stuck in an out-of-sorts location for too long. That can also give customers a real sense of what the TV looks like and how it is linked to other devices around them.
Electronic Flight Controls
There are some exciting developments for electronic flight controls with SLAM. That can help pilots navigate safely through busy airspace by giving them a quicker way to navigate their crafts between nearby locations and destinations. And when used in conjunction with advanced radar systems, this can make it easier for pilots to avoid other aircraft, resulting in fewer accidents.
How SLAM Works
The first thing to note in how SLAM works is that it does not require precise location information. As long as the sensor information being recorded gives the robot a sense of direction, it will know where it is relative to its surroundings. If a bulky object appears unexpectedly in front of the robot, the robot will ignore it and continue its way along its planned path. The robot only needs precise location information when trying to avoid obstacles or pedestrians around them.
The working of SLAM starts with the robot’s sensors. That can include motion-detecting technologies like an accelerometer or image sensors that detect light and dark spots. The process requires the robot to create an initial map of its environment, recording information about nearby landmarks, such as other objects or buildings.
Once the map is complete, it is time for the robot to gather movement data. That will essentially involve measuring the distance between itself and nearby landmarks so that it can better understand the environment around it moving forward. Once the data is gathered a second time, the robot will know its position relative to other nearby landmarks.
The concept of SLAM (SLAM) is often challenging for those who have not experienced it firsthand. It is easy to see why SLAM has become a popular topic in recent years, but its applications include robotics, medical, military, emergency response, and entertainment.
