LiDAR Odometry
LiDAR Odometry is a technique in robotics and autonomous systems that estimates the position and orientation (pose) of a moving platform by analyzing sequential scans from a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor. It works by matching features or points between consecutive LiDAR frames to compute the relative motion, enabling real-time localization without relying on external references like GPS. This is a core component in SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) systems for applications such as self-driving cars, drones, and mobile robots.
Developers should learn LiDAR Odometry when working on autonomous navigation, robotics, or augmented reality projects that require accurate, real-time pose estimation in environments where GPS is unavailable or unreliable, such as indoors, in urban canyons, or under dense foliage. It is essential for building robust SLAM systems that enable vehicles and robots to map unknown areas while tracking their own position, critical for tasks like path planning, obstacle avoidance, and environmental interaction.