Global Localization Overview

The ZED SDK’s Global Localization module enables real-time camera tracking and localization in a global coordinate system. It leverages the power of the ZED stereo camera and GNSS data to provide accurate and robust localization capabilities for your applications. By combining visual odometry with GNSS positioning, the ZED SDK can determine the camera’s precise position and orientation relative to a global reference frame.

The ZED SDK’s Global Localization feature not only provides real-time camera tracking and localization in a global coordinate system but also operates in GNSS-denied environments. This means that even when satellite-based GNSS data is unavailable or unreliable, the ZED SDK can still determine the camera’s global position with centimeter precision.

How It Works #

Global Localization combines the power of the ZED camera’s stereo images and GNSS data to determine precise position and orientation in a global coordinate system. The ZED SDK utilizes visual odometry to continuously track the camera’s motion, and corrects any accumulated drift or errors using periodic GNSS updates. This fusion of data enables applications such as autonomous navigation, mapping, and augmented reality.

Getting Global Localization Data #

The ZED SDK’s API allows to retrieve fused VIO-GNSS data for every frame.

To help you get started, we provide Geotracking samples on our GitHub repository. These samples allow you to view live fused GNSS global data, record GNSS sequences, and even replay them for testing purposes.