Probabilistic Robotics [Hardcover]

An introduction to the techniques and algorithms of the newest field in robotics.

Probabilistic robotics is a new and growing area in robotics, concerned with perception and control in the face of uncertainty. Building on the field of mathematical statistics, probabilistic robotics endows robots with a new level of robustness in real-world situations. This book introduces the reader to a wealth of techniques and algorithms in the field. All algorithms are based on a single overarching mathematical foundation. Each chapter provides example implementations in pseudo code, detailed mathematical derivations, discussions from a practitioner's perspective, and extensive lists of exercises and class projects. The book's Web site, www.probabilistic-robotics.org, has additional material. The book is relevant for anyone involved in robotic software development and scientific research. It will also be of interest to applied statisticians and engineers dealing with real-world sensor data.

A robot is an uncertainty machine: its perception and decision-making capabilities must embed at their core the processes dealing with uncertainty. The book is an essential reference for the student, the teacher, and the researcher to understand the basics and the advanced methods of estimation theory, and the probabilistic models and processes underlying robot localization, SLAM, and decion making. A 'muust have' textbook!

Probabilistic Robotics is a tour de force, replete with material for students and practitioners alike.