Events Calendar

PhD Dissertation Defense - Weiwu Pang

Title: Toward Enabling Large-scale Outdoor Augmented Reality    
 
Date: August 12, 2024
 
Location: SAL- Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center 213
 
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Committee members: Ramesh Govindan, Konstantinos Psounis, Mukund Raghothaman
 
Abstract:This thesis advances outdoor augmented reality (AR) by addressing critical challenges in urban situational awareness (Urban Situational Awareness) through the development of three innovative systems: Cooperative Infrastructure Perception (CIP), UbiPose, and SplatLoc. Urban Situational Awareness aims to enhance AR users’ understanding of their surroundings by accurately integrating dynamic digital content with the physical environment. This research focuses on two fundamental aspects of outdoor AR: dynamic content rendering and precise pose estimation. CIP leverages infrastructure LiDARs to provide real-time, multi-angular perception of urban spaces, enabling a "virtual see-through" capability. This system also introduces methods for extracting dynamic objects, such as pedestrians and vehicles, significantly improving AR accuracy and responsiveness. UbiPose uses aerial meshes to extend AR coverage, though it requires computationally intensive algorithms to address aerial image distortions. SplatLoc employs Gaussian Splatting (GSplat) from crowd-sourced street-level images, generating high-quality synthetic views for efficient and accurate pose estimation.    
 
Two key contributions are highlighted. First, the exploration of how to extract dynamic content in urban settings, enhancing AR by detecting and representing moving objects. Second, the exploration of optimal map representations for outdoor AR pose estimation, balancing coverage, accuracy, and computational efficiency. The research proposes future directions, including creating high-quality GSplat using aerial images to improve availability and efficiency. It also discusses the need for efficient map update mechanisms to ensure timely and accurate real-world reflections.    By addressing these challenges, this thesis lays the groundwork for more immersive and reliable outdoor AR applications, paving the way for transformative experiences in urban environments.   

Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 213

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Ellecia Williams