Automated Video Camera Acquisition & Modeling (AVCAM)

Automated extraction of 3D objects from video sequences represents a key 21st Century enabling technology for DOD applications, ranging from interactive C3 systems to virtual reality mission rehearsal. While dozens of researchers have demonstrated underlying theory, significant development issues remain which have prevented introduction of any relevant systems. General Reality Corporation (GRC) proposes to attack this bottleneck by advancing the state-of-the-art in structure-from-motion (SFM) algorithms, through integration of edge extraction and aggregation for improved depth mapping, meshing, and object segmentation. Driven by a Phase II goal of automatically populating the New World Vistas Global Awareness Virtual Test Bed (NWV GA VTB) using video source data, GRC will establish Phase I feasibility by 1) developing a real-time capable, edge-assisted breadboard of its unique lator in a NWV GA VTB visualization, and 3) developing a complete system design for Phase II maturation and delivery. The proposed effort will utilize and extend GRC's strong technology base, which includes a DARPA-sponsored controlled imagery acquisition system and a Marine Corps-sponsored SFM architecture for semi-automatic video model generation.