Scalable feature classification for 3D point cloud data is provided. In one aspect, a method for rasterizing 3D point cloud data includes: obtaining the 3D point cloud data; generating a digital elevation model (DEM) from the 3D point cloud data; decomposing the DEM into local and global fluctuations to obtain a local DEM; generating geo-referenced shapes by automatically thresholding the local DEM; cropping and normalizing the local DEM using minimum bounding boxes derived from the geo-referenced shapes and manual annotations from subject matter experts to create a cropped DEM; and linking geo-spatially tagged labels from the subject matter experts to the cropped DEM. These data can be then directly fed into a system having an ensemble of artificial neural networks. By way of example, a scalable ecosystem is presented on the basis of the geo-spatial platform IBM PAIRS.

Scalable feature classification for 3D point cloud data is provided. In one aspect, a method for rasterizing 3D point cloud data includes: obtaining the 3D point cloud data; generating a digital elevation model (DEM) from the 3D point cloud data; decomposing the DEM into local and global fluctuations to obtain a local DEM; generating geo-referenced shapes by automatically thresholding the local DEM; cropping and normalizing the local DEM using minimum bounding boxes derived from the geo-referenced shapes and manual annotations from subject matter experts to create a cropped DEM; and linking geo-spatially tagged labels from the subject matter experts to the cropped DEM. These data can be then directly fed into a system having an ensemble of artificial neural networks. By way of example, a scalable ecosystem is presented on the basis of the geo-spatial platform IBM PAIRS.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving situational awareness of occupants of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing, using at least a processor of the vehicle, scan data from a sensor of the vehicle to detect at least one object within the surrounding environment. The method includes converting the scan data into converted data that represents the at least one object with a reduced quantity of data. The method includes rendering, using the converted data, at least one graphic that is a visual representation of the at least one object. The method includes displaying the at least one graphic within a display of the vehicle at a location within the display that represents a location of the at least one object relative to the vehicle in the surrounding environment.

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving situational awareness of occupants of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing, using at least a processor of the vehicle, scan data from a sensor of the vehicle to detect at least one object within the surrounding environment. The method includes converting the scan data into converted data that represents the at least one object with a reduced quantity of data. The method includes rendering, using the converted data, at least one graphic that is a visual representation of the at least one object. The method includes displaying the at least one graphic within a display of the vehicle at a location within the display that represents a location of the at least one object relative to the vehicle in the surrounding environment.

Techniques are disclosed for real-time mapping in a movable object environment. A system for real-time mapping in a movable object environment, may include at least one movable object including a computing device, a scanning sensor electronically coupled to the computing device, and a positioning sensor electronically coupled to the computing device. The system may further include a client device in communication with the at least one movable object, the client device including a visualization application which is configured to receive point cloud data from the scanning sensor and position data from the positioning sensor, record the point cloud data and the position data to a storage location, generate a real-time visualization of the point cloud data and the position data as it is received, and display the real-time visualization using a user interface provided by the visualization application.

Techniques are disclosed for real-time mapping in a movable object environment. A system for real-time mapping in a movable object environment, may include at least one movable object including a computing device, a scanning sensor electronically coupled to the computing device, and a positioning sensor electronically coupled to the computing device. The system may further include a client device in communication with the at least one movable object, the client device including a visualization application which is configured to receive point cloud data from the scanning sensor and position data from the positioning sensor, record the point cloud data and the position data to a storage location, generate a real-time visualization of the point cloud data and the position data as it is received, and display the real-time visualization using a user interface provided by the visualization application.

A distance measuring apparatus includes: a display unit; a memory configured to store map information of golf courses; a location acquiring sensor configured to acquire a current location; a distance measuring sensor configured to measure a distance to a target; a slope sensor configured to measure a tilt angle; and a control unit configured to read out map information of a golf course corresponding to the current location from the memory, to calculate a horizontal distance to the target by using the distance to the target and the tilt angle, and to display a course map image on which an object corresponding to the current location and a first lead line connecting points that are spaced from the current location depending on the horizontal distance are displayed, on the display unit.

A distance measuring apparatus includes: a display unit; a memory configured to store map information of golf courses; a location acquiring sensor configured to acquire a current location; a distance measuring sensor configured to measure a distance to a target; a slope sensor configured to measure a tilt angle; and a control unit configured to read out map information of a golf course corresponding to the current location from the memory, to calculate a horizontal distance to the target by using the distance to the target and the tilt angle, and to display a course map image on which an object corresponding to the current location and a first lead line connecting points that are spaced from the current location depending on the horizontal distance are displayed, on the display unit.

A mobile surface scanner and associated method are disclosed. The mobile surface scanner comprises an array of laser scanners that determine surface conditions within a selected land area. The surface data is processed and imported into a geographic information system application, where the surface conditions are visualized on a map of the selected land area.

Techniques are disclosed for adding time data to scan lines of an image frame. In some examples, an image sensor may perform a rolling shutter image capture to produce the scan lines. Data captured by another sensor may be associated with at least a portion of a scan line based at least in part on the time data added to the scan line in some examples. Furthermore, techniques are disclosed for synchronizing data capture by multiple sensors. For example, a rolling shutter image capture performed by an image sensor may be synchronized with a data capture performed by another sensor.