Depth Maps
Depth maps are 2D images or data structures where each pixel value represents the distance from a camera or sensor to a corresponding point in a 3D scene. They encode spatial information about object surfaces, enabling applications like 3D reconstruction, augmented reality, and autonomous navigation. Depth maps are often generated using techniques such as stereo vision, structured light, or time-of-flight sensors.
Developers should learn about depth maps when working on computer vision, robotics, or graphics projects that require 3D scene understanding, such as in autonomous vehicles for obstacle detection or in AR/VR for realistic object placement. They are essential for tasks like depth estimation, 3D modeling, and scene segmentation, where spatial awareness is critical for accurate performance.