Monte Carlo Localization using magnetic sensor and LIDAR for real world navigation

For realizing more stable outdoor navigation for mobile robots, this paper proposes a localization method using a magnetic sensor and a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). In the proposed method, Monte Carlo Localization (MCL) using the LIDAR and a determination method of a heading direction using the ambient magnetic field are combined. In other words, the proposal distribution becomes dense at the true state of the robot by using the ambient magnetic field. The determination method is based on the advantage of the magnetic navigation proposed by us. By the proposed method, the robot enabled to navigate with accuracy in the outdoor environment, since the robust localization is realized. The effectiveness of the proposed method is shown through experiments. Moreover, two robots implemented the proposed method achieved the task of Real World Robot Challenge 2012. This means that the proposed method is effective for real world navigation.