Object recognition system using sonar

Sonar is used extensively in mobile robotics for obstacle detection, ranging and avoidance. However, these range-finding applications do not exploit the rich information present in sonar echoes. In addition, mobile robots need robust object recognition systems. The ability to "see" with sound has long been an intriguing concept. Certain animals, such as bats and dolphins, are able to recognize the shape and nature of objects and to navigate using ultrasound. This work aims to set up and develop hardware and software components of an object recognition system using ultrasonic sensors of the type commonly found on mobile robots. Results demonstrate that sonar can be used as a low-cost, low-computation sensor for real time object recognition tasks on mobile robots. This system differs from all previous approaches in its simplicity, robustness, speed and low cost.