Automated map generation from aerial images for precise vehicle localization

Availability of detailed, high accuracy digital maps is crucial for many driver assistance applications. In this paper, a novel approach for automated map generation from aerial images is presented. Automatically generated maps present an alternative for applications that are not critical for vehicle safety such as accurate map based localization for route guidance. Aerial images as a source for automated map generation are available worldwide and updated frequently, which makes short map update cycles practicable. The paper describes the generation of landmark maps from aerial images, consisting of a per-pixel image classification and the computation of a geometric representation of the landmarks. A special image descriptor for aerial image classification is introduced, which helps to reduce the required amount of manual post-processing significantly. We further demonstrate a method for lane boundary estimation based on the extracted landmarks. Results of the map generation algorithm are presented for an inner-city intersection scene.