Observability-Enhanced Target Motion Estimation via Bearing-Box: Theory and MAV Applications

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Zhang, Yin, Ning, Zian, Zhao, Shiyu
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Zhang, Yin
Ning, Zian
Zhao, Shiyu
author_facet Zhang, Yin
Ning, Zian
Zhao, Shiyu
contents Monocular vision-based target motion estimation is a fundamental challenge in numerous applications. This work introduces a novel bearing-box approach that fully leverages modern 3D detection measurements that are widely available nowadays but have not been well explored for motion estimation so far. Unlike existing methods that rely on restrictive assumptions such as isotropic target shape and lateral motion, our bearing-box estimator can estimate both the target's motion and its physical size without these assumptions by exploiting the information buried in a 3D bounding box. When applied to multi-rotor micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), the estimator yields an interesting advantage: it further removes the need for higher-order motion assumptions by exploiting the unique coupling between MAV's acceleration and thrust. This is particularly significant, as higher-order motion assumptions are widely believed to be necessary in state-of-the-art bearing-based estimators. We support our claims with rigorous observability analyses and extensive experimental validation, demonstrating the estimator's superior performance in real-world scenarios.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_06887
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Observability-Enhanced Target Motion Estimation via Bearing-Box: Theory and MAV Applications
Zhang, Yin
Ning, Zian
Zhao, Shiyu
Robotics
Monocular vision-based target motion estimation is a fundamental challenge in numerous applications. This work introduces a novel bearing-box approach that fully leverages modern 3D detection measurements that are widely available nowadays but have not been well explored for motion estimation so far. Unlike existing methods that rely on restrictive assumptions such as isotropic target shape and lateral motion, our bearing-box estimator can estimate both the target's motion and its physical size without these assumptions by exploiting the information buried in a 3D bounding box. When applied to multi-rotor micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), the estimator yields an interesting advantage: it further removes the need for higher-order motion assumptions by exploiting the unique coupling between MAV's acceleration and thrust. This is particularly significant, as higher-order motion assumptions are widely believed to be necessary in state-of-the-art bearing-based estimators. We support our claims with rigorous observability analyses and extensive experimental validation, demonstrating the estimator's superior performance in real-world scenarios.
title Observability-Enhanced Target Motion Estimation via Bearing-Box: Theory and MAV Applications
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.06887