Mobile robots require the ability to make decisions such as "go through the hedges" or "go around the brick wall." Mobile Robot Navigation with Intelligent Infrared Image Interpretation describes in detail an alternative to GPS navigation: a physics-based adaptive Bayesian pattern classification model that uses a passive thermal infrared imaging system to automatically characterize non-heat generating objects in unstructured outdoor environments for mobile robots. The resulting classification model complements an autonomous robot’s situational awareness by providing the ability to classify smaller structures commonly found in the immediate operational environment.

This volume contains papers presented at the 11th International Meeting, attended by over 300 scientists. Topics include: solid state lasers and their applications; nonlinear optics; thin films; fiber optics and sensors; machine vision and image processing; micro-mechanics and micro-optics.