Comparison of Optic Flow in the Visible Light and Infrared Specturms

Abstract

Insects use a method of Wide Field Integration (WFI) to navigate efficiently through unknown environments. Using these natural paradigms, various WFI based forms of navigation can be implemented based on electro-mechanical vision devices on robotic vehicles. However, under low light and/or suspended particles in the environment, these methods become less useful. One solution to this problem is to use infrared vision sensors rather than visible light sensors. This would allow insect-like navigation for autonomous vehicles under a variety of lighting conditions, including a total lack of visible light. The results show that, using infrared sensors, it is possible to navigate under a variety of lighting conditions, even where visible light sensors become ineffective.