A vision-based boundary following framework for aerial vehicles

Abstract

We present an integration of classical computer vision techniques to achieve real-time autonomous steering of an unmanned aircraft along the boundary of different regions. Using an unified conceptual framework, we illustrate solutions for tracking coastlines and for following roads surrounded by forests. In particular, we exploit color and texture properties to differentiate between region types in the aforementioned domains. The performance of our system is evaluated using different experimental approaches, which includes a fully automated in-field flight over a 1km coastline trajectory.