activity
20242026
collaborators

6 papers

cs.RO2026

PinNet: Keypoint-Aware Learned Local Descriptors with Geometric Embedding for Loop Closure in LiDAR SLAM

Yanlong Ma, Nakul S. Joshi, Christa S. Robison +2

Loop closure is essential to reduce drift and build globally consistent maps in large-scale environments. However, reliable loop closure with only geometric information from, e.g.,…

cs.RO2026

OptMap: Geometric Map Distillation via Submodular Maximization

David Thorne, Nathan Chan, Christa S. Robison +2

Autonomous robots rely on geometric maps to inform a diverse set of perception and decision-making algorithms. As autonomy requires reasoning and planning on multiple scales, each…

cs.RO2025

Geometric Multi-Session Map Merging with Learned Local Descriptors

Yanlong Ma, Nakul S. Joshi, Christa S. Robison +2

Multi-session map merging is crucial for extended autonomous operations in large-scale environments. In this paper, we present GMLD, a learning-based local descriptor framework for…

cs.RO2025

Submodular Optimization for Keyframe Selection & Usage in SLAM

David Thorne, Nathan Chan, Yanlong Ma +3

Keyframes are LiDAR scans saved for future reference in Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM), but despite their central importance most algorithms leave choices of which sc…

cs.RO2024

Quaternion Sliding Variables in Manipulator Control

Brett T. Lopez, Jean-Jacques Slotine

We present two quaternion-based sliding variables for controlling the orientation of a manipulator's end-effector. Both sliding variables are free of singularities and represent gl…

eess.SY2024

Information Control Barrier Functions: Preventing Localization Failures in Mobile Systems Through Control

Samuel G. Gessow, David Thorne, Brett T. Lopez

This paper develops a new framework for preventing localization failures in mobile systems that must estimate their state using measurements. Safety is guaranteed by imposing the n…