aiqbench analysis
This paper introduces UCON, a novel algorithm that addresses perception instability and uncertainty-optimization mismatches in autonomous navigation through historical point cloud re-association and differentiable cost terms. By embedding motion covariances directly into trajectory optimization, the method achieves robust obstacle avoidance in dynamic environments while maintaining computational efficiency. The open-sourced code will likely accelerate research into reliable robotic systems operating under uncertain conditions.
UCON: Uncertainty-aware Navigation with Historical Re-association in Dynamic Environments
arXiv:2609.29419v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Autonomous navigation in dynamic environments is hindered by two fundamental challenges: perception instability and uncertainty-optimization mismatch. The former leads to identity switches and unreliable motion estimation, while the latter prevents principled incorporation of motion uncertainty into trajectory optimization. To address these challenges, we propose UCON, an uncertainty-aware navigation algorithm in dynamic environments. For perception instability, we present a point-level historical re-association mechanism that leverages historical point cloud fragments to recover lost targets while maintaining identity continuity. Subsequently, a Kalman filter is employed to provide anisotropic motion state estimation and covariance propagation. To resolve the uncertainty-optimization mismatch, we transform predicted states and their covariances into uncertainty sectors, which are embedded as differentiable cost terms within a trajectory optimization framework. This achieves consistent uncertainty-aware dynamic obstacle avoidance while maintaining smoothness and feasibility. Extensive simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate that, while maintaining high computational efficiency, UCON achieves superior perception stability and robust navigation performance in dynamic environments compared to state-of-the-art methods. The code will be open-sourced to facilitate further research.
Abstract:Autonomous navigation in dynamic environments is hindered by two fundamental challenges: perception instability and uncertainty-optimization mismatch. The former leads to identity switches and unreliable motion estimation, while the latter prevents principled incorporation of motion uncertainty into trajectory optimization. To address these challenges, we propose UCON, an uncertainty-aware navigation algorithm in dynamic environments. For perception instability, we present a point-level historical re-association mechanism that leverages historical point cloud fragments to recover lost targets while maintaining identity continuity. Subsequently, a Kalman filter is employed to provide anisotropic motion state estimation and covariance propagation. To resolve the uncertainty-optimization mismatch, we transform predicted states and their covariances into uncertainty sectors, which are embedded as differentiable cost terms within a trajectory optimization framework. This achieves consistent uncertainty-aware dynamic obstacle avoidance while maintaining smoothness and feasibility. Extensive simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate that, while maintaining high computational efficiency, UCON achieves superior perception stability and robust navigation performance in dynamic environments compared to state-of-the-art methods. The code will be open-sourced to facilitate further research.
Robotics (cs.RO)
arXiv:2609.29419 [cs.RO]
(or arXiv:2609.29419v1 [cs.RO] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.29419 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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Full text under the publisher's open licence · 260 words
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