Abstract: Generally, the disclosed systems and methods implement improved detection of objects in three-dimensional (3D) space. More particularly, an improved 3D object detection system can exploit continuous fusion of multiple sensors and/or integrated geographic prior map data to enhance effectiveness and robustness of object detection in applications such as autonomous driving. In some implementations, geographic prior data (e.g., geometric ground and/or semantic road features) can be exploited to enhance three-dimensional object detection for autonomous vehicle applications. In some implementations, object detection systems and methods can be improved based on dynamic utilization of multiple sensor modalities. More particularly, an improved 3D object detection system can exploit both LIDAR systems and cameras to perform very accurate localization of objects within three-dimensional space relative to an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Example aspects of the present disclosure describe a scene generator for simulating scenes in an environment. For example, snapshots of simulated traffic scenes can be generated by sampling a joint probability distribution trained on real-world traffic scenes. In some implementations, samples of the joint probability distribution can be obtained by sampling a plurality of factorized probability distributions for a plurality of objects for sequential insertion into the scene.

Abstract: Generally, the disclosed systems and methods implement improved detection of objects in three-dimensional (3D) space. More particularly, an improved 3D object detection system can exploit continuous fusion of multiple sensors and/or integrated geographic prior map data to enhance effectiveness and robustness of object detection in applications such as autonomous driving. In some implementations, geographic prior data (e.g., geometric ground and/or semantic road features) can be exploited to enhance three-dimensional object detection for autonomous vehicle applications. In some implementations, object detection systems and methods can be improved based on dynamic utilization of multiple sensor modalities. More particularly, an improved 3D object detection system can exploit both LIDAR systems and cameras to perform very accurate localization of objects within three-dimensional space relative to an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location based on image data are provided. A method can include receiving, by a computing system, a query image depicting a surrounding environment of a vehicle. The query image can be input into a machine-learned image embedding model and a machine-learned feature extraction model to obtain a query embedding and a query feature representation, respectively. The method can include identifying a subset of candidate embeddings that have embeddings similar to the query embedding. The method can include obtaining a respective feature representation for each image associated with the subset of candidate embeddings. The method can include determining a set of relative displacements between each image associated with the subset of candidate embeddings and the query image and determining a localized state of a vehicle based at least in part on the set of relative displacements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location based on image data are provided. A method can include receiving, by a computing system, a query image depicting a surrounding environment of a vehicle. The query image can be input into a machine-learned image embedding model and a machine-learned feature extraction model to obtain a query embedding and a query feature representation, respectively. The method can include identifying a subset of candidate embeddings that have embeddings similar to the query embedding. The method can include obtaining a respective feature representation for each image associated with the subset of candidate embeddings. The method can include determining a set of relative displacements between each image associated with the subset of candidate embeddings and the query image and determining a localized state of a vehicle based at least in part on the set of relative displacements.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for learning neural reflectance shaders from images. A set of one or more machine learning models can be trained to optimize an illumination latent code and a set of reflectance latent codes for an object within a set of input images, such as lighting-based material effects for the object. A shader can then be generated based on a machine learning model of the one or more machine learning models. The shader is configured to sample the illumination latent code and the set of reflectance latent codes for the object. A 3D representation of the object can be rendered using the generated shader.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that combine physics-based systems with machine learning to generate synthetic LiDAR data that accurately mimics a real-world LiDAR sensor system. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure combine physics-based rendering with machine-learned models such as deep neural networks to simulate both the geometry and intensity of the LiDAR sensor. As one example, a physics-based ray casting approach can be used on a three-dimensional map of an environment to generate an initial three-dimensional point cloud that mimics LiDAR data. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a machine-learned model can predict one or more dropout probabilities for one or more of the points in the initial three-dimensional point cloud, thereby generating an adjusted three-dimensional point cloud which more realistically simulates real-world LiDAR data.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for learning neural reflectance shaders from images. A set of one or more machine learning models can be trained to optimize an illumination latent code and a set of reflectance latent codes for an object within a set of input images. A shader can then be generated based on a machine learning model of the one or more machine learning models. The shader is configured to sample the illumination latent code and the set of reflectance latent codes for the object. A 3D representation of the object can be rendered using the generated shader.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying travel way features in real time are provided. A method can include receiving two-dimensional and three-dimensional data associated with the surrounding environment of a vehicle. The method can include providing the two-dimensional data as one or more input into a machine-learned segmentation model to output a two-dimensional segmentation. The method can include fusing the two-dimensional segmentation with the three-dimensional data to generate a three-dimensional segmentation. The method can include storing the three-dimensional segmentation in a classification database with data indicative of one or more previously generated three-dimensional segmentations. The method can include providing one or more datapoint sets from the classification database as one or more inputs into a machine-learned enhancing model to obtain an enhanced three-dimensional segmentation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that combine physics-based systems with machine learning to generate synthetic LiDAR data that accurately mimics a real-world LiDAR sensor system. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure combine physics-based rendering with machine-learned models such as deep neural networks to simulate both the geometry and intensity of the LiDAR sensor. As one example, a physics-based ray casting approach can be used on a three-dimensional map of an environment to generate an initial three-dimensional point cloud that mimics LiDAR data. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a machine-learned model can predict one or more dropout probabilities for one or more of the points in the initial three-dimensional point cloud, thereby generating an adjusted three-dimensional point cloud which more realistically simulates real-world LiDAR data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with motion flow estimation are provided. For example, scene data including representations of an environment over a first set of time intervals can be accessed. Extracted visual cues can be generated based on the representations and machine-learned feature extraction models. At least one of the machine-learned feature extraction models can be configured to generate a portion of the extracted visual cues based on a first set of the representations of the environment from a first perspective and a second set of the representations of the environment from a second perspective. The extracted visual cues can be encoded using energy functions. Three-dimensional motion estimates of object instances at time intervals subsequent to the first set of time intervals can be determined based on the energy functions and machine-learned inference models.

Abstract: Dense feature scale detection can be implemented using multiple convolutional neural networks trained on scale data to more accurately and efficiently match pixels between images. An input image can be used to generate multiple scaled images. The multiple scaled images are input into a feature net, which outputs feature data for the multiple scaled images. An attention net is used to generate an attention map from the input image. The attention map assigns emphasis as a soft distribution to different scales based on texture analysis. The feature data and the attention data can be combined through a multiplication process and then summed to generate dense features for comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the simultaneous localization and mapping of autonomous vehicle systems are provided. A method includes receiving a plurality of input image frames from the plurality of asynchronous image devices triggered at different times to capture the plurality of input image frames. The method includes identifying reference image frame(s) corresponding to a respective input image frame by matching the field of view of the respective input image frame to the fields of view of the reference image frame(s). The method includes determining association(s) between the respective input image frame and three-dimensional map point(s) based on a comparison of the respective input image frame to the one or more reference image frames. The method includes generating an estimated pose for the autonomous vehicle the one or more three-dimensional map points. The method includes updating a continuous-time motion model of the autonomous vehicle based on the estimated pose.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying travel way features in real time are provided. A method can include receiving two-dimensional and three-dimensional data associated with the surrounding environment of a vehicle. The method can include providing the two-dimensional data as one or more input into a machine-learned segmentation model to output a two-dimensional segmentation. The method can include fusing the two-dimensional segmentation with the three-dimensional data to generate a three-dimensional segmentation. The method can include storing the three-dimensional segmentation in a classification database with data indicative of one or more previously generated three-dimensional segmentations. The method can include providing one or more datapoint sets from the classification database as one or more inputs into a machine-learned enhancing model to obtain an enhanced three-dimensional segmentation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the simultaneous localization and mapping of autonomous vehicle systems are provided. A method includes receiving a plurality of input image frames from the plurality of asynchronous image devices triggered at different times to capture the plurality of input image frames. The method includes identifying reference image frame(s) corresponding to a respective input image frame by matching the field of view of the respective input image frame to the fields of view of the reference image frame(s). The method includes determining association(s) between the respective input image frame and three-dimensional map point(s) based on a comparison of the respective input image frame to the one or more reference image frames. The method includes generating an estimated pose for the autonomous vehicle the one or more three-dimensional map points. The method includes updating a continuous-time motion model of the autonomous vehicle based on the estimated pose.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that combine physics-based systems with machine learning to generate synthetic LiDAR data that accurately mimics a real-world LiDAR sensor system. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure combine physics-based rendering with machine-learned models such as deep neural networks to simulate both the geometry and intensity of the LiDAR sensor. As one example, a physics-based ray casting approach can be used on a three-dimensional map of an environment to generate an initial three-dimensional point cloud that mimics LiDAR data. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a machine-learned geometry model can predict one or more adjusted depths for one or more of the points in the initial three-dimensional point cloud, thereby generating an adjusted three-dimensional point cloud which more realistically simulates real-world LiDAR data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying travel way features in real time are provided. A method can include receiving two-dimensional and three-dimensional data associated with the surrounding environment of a vehicle. The method can include providing the two-dimensional data as one or more input into a machine-learned segmentation model to output a two-dimensional segmentation. The method can include fusing the two-dimensional segmentation with the three-dimensional data to generate a three-dimensional segmentation. The method can include storing the three-dimensional segmentation in a classification database with data indicative of one or more previously generated three-dimensional segmentations. The method can include providing one or more datapoint sets from the classification database as one or more inputs into a machine-learned enhancing model to obtain an enhanced three-dimensional segmentation.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for learning neural reflectance shaders from images. A set of one or more machine learning models can be trained to optimize an illumination latent code and a set of reflectance latent codes for an object within a set of input images. A shader can then be generated based on a machine learning model of the one or more machine learning models. The shader is configured to sample the illumination latent code and the set of reflectance latent codes for the object. A 3D representation of the object can be rendered using the generated shader.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for generating photorealistic image simulation data with geometry-aware composition for testing autonomous vehicles. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure can involve the intake of data on an environment and output of augmented data on the environment with the photorealistic addition of an object. As one example, data on the driving experiences of a self-driving vehicle can be augmented to add another vehicle into the collected environment data. The augmented data may then be used to test safety features of software for a self-driving vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for learning neural reflectance shaders from images. A set of one or more machine learning models can be trained to optimize an illumination latent code and a set of reflectance latent codes for an object within a set of input images. A shader can then be generated based on a machine learning model of the one or more machine learning models. The shader is configured to sample the illumination latent code and the set of reflectance latent codes for the object. A 3D representation of the object can be rendered using the generated shader.