Detection and tracking of moving objects hidden from view

Gariepy, G., Tonolini, F., Henderson, R., Leach, J. and Faccio, D. (2016) Detection and tracking of moving objects hidden from view. Nature Photonics, 10(1), pp. 23-26. (doi: 10.1038/nphoton.2015.234)

Abstract

The ability to detect motion and track a moving object hidden around a corner or behind a wall provides a crucial advantage when physically going around the obstacle is impossible or dangerous. Previous methods have demonstrated that it is possible to reconstruct the shape of an object hidden from view. However, these methods do not enable the tracking of movement in real time. We demonstrate a compact non-line-of-sight laser ranging technology that relies on the ability to send light around an obstacle using a scattering floor and then detect the return signal from a hidden object within only a few seconds of acquisition time. By detecting this signal with a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) camera, we follow the movement of an object located a metre away from the camera with centimetre precision. We discuss the possibility of applying this technology to a variety of real-life situations in the near future.

• Item Type: Articles (Letter)
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Leach, Mr Jonathan and Faccio, Professor Daniele
• Authors: Gariepy, G., Tonolini, F., Henderson, R., Leach, J., and Faccio, D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Nature Photonics
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 1749-4885
• ISSN (Online): 1749-4893
• Published Online: 07 December 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Nature Photonics 10:23-26
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher