Akhan Almagambetov

Autonomous tracking of vehicle rear lights and detection of brakes and turn signals

Automatic detection of vehicle alert signals is extremely critical in autonomous vehicle applications and collision avoidance systems, as these detection systems can help in the prevention of deadly and costly accidents. In this paper, we present a novel and lightweight algorithm that uses a Kalman filter and a codebook to achieve a high level of robustness. The algorithm is able to detect braking and turning signals of the vehicle in front both during the daytime and at night (daytime detection being a major advantage over current research), as well as correctly track a vehicle despite changing lanes or encountering periods of no or low-visibility of the vehicle in front. We demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is able to detect the signals accurately and reliably under different lighting conditions.

A Robust Algorithm for the Detection of Vehicle Turn Signals and Brake Lights

Robust and lightweight detection of alert signals of front vehicle, such as turn signals and brake lights, is extremely critical, especially in autonomous vehicle applications. Even with cars that are driven by human beings, automatic detection of these signals can aid in the prevention of otherwise deadly accidents. This paper presents a novel, robust and lightweight algorithm for detecting brake lights and turn signals both at night and during the day. The proposed method employs a Kalman filter to reduce the processing load. Much research is focused only on the detection of brake lights at night, but our algorithm is able to detect turn signals as well as brake lights under any lighting conditions with high accuracy rates.

Robust and Computationally Lightweight Autonomous Tracking of Vehicle Taillights and Signal Detection by Embedded Smart Cameras

An important aspect of collision avoidance and driver assistance systems, as well as autonomous vehicles, is the tracking of vehicle taillights and the detection of alert signals (turns and brakes). In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a robust and computationally lightweight algorithm for a real-time vision system, capable of detecting and tracking vehicle taillights, recognizing common alert signals using a vehicle-mounted embedded smart camera, and counting the cars passing on both sides of the vehicle. The system is low-power and processes scenes entirely on the microprocessor of an embedded smart camera. In contrast to most existing work that addresses either daytime or nighttime detection, the presented system provides the ability to track vehicle taillights and detect alert signals regardless of lighting conditions. The mobile vision system has been tested in actual traffic scenes and the results obtained demonstrate the performance and the lightweight nature of the algorithm.

Mobile Standards-Based Traffic Light Detection in Assistive Devices for Individuals with Color-Vision Deficiency

Considering the substantial population affected by some form of color-vision deficiency (CVD), reliable traffic control signal head light detection is an important problem for driver-assistance systems. While a large number of technologies can be used to localize traffic lights, without drastic changes in infrastructure, only visual information can be used in identifying the status of the light. In addition, traffic light detection is not currently integrated into any driver-assistance systems, making driving for individuals with CVD (where permitted) dangerous to other drivers, pedestrians, and themselves. This paper presents a robust, traffic-standards-based, and computationally efficient method for detecting the status of the traffic lights without relying on Global Positioning System, lidar, radar information, or prior (map-based) knowledge. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first work to use official Institute of Transportation Engineers (U.S.) and British Standards Institute (European Union) standards for defining traffic light colors, as well as integrating a number of fail-safe mechanisms designed to prevent erroneous detection. The algorithm can be easily ported over to an embedded smart camera platform and used as a windshield-mounted driver-assistance device by individuals with CVD. The system can accurately identify the status of the light at 400 ft away from the intersection, reliably detecting solid, faulty, arrow, and high-visibility signal lights. Over 50 h of video (over 2000 intersections) were tested with the system, containing intersections with one to four traffic lights, governing different lanes of traffic, with 97.5% accuracy of solid light detection.

Autonomous Tracking of Vehicle Taillights and Alert Signal Detection by Embedded Smart Cameras

An important aspect of collision avoidance and driver assistance systems, as well as autonomous vehicles, is the tracking of vehicle taillights and the detection of alert signals (turns and brakes). In this chapter, we present the design and implementation of a robust and computationally lightweight algorithm for a real-time vision system, capable of detecting and tracking vehicle taillights, recognizing common alert signals using a vehicle-mounted embedded smart camera, and counting the cars passing on both sides of the vehicle. The system is low-power and processes scenes entirely on the microprocessor of an embedded smart camera. In contrast to most existing work that addresses either daytime or nighttime detection, the presented system provides the ability to track vehicle taillights and detect alert signals regardless of lighting conditions. The mobile vision system has been tested in actual traffic scenes and the obtained results demonstrate the performance and lightweight nature of the algorithm.