Virtual reality mapping system for Chernobyl accident site assessment
Initiated by the Department of Energy's International Nuclear Safety Program, an effort in underway to deliver and employ a telerobotic diagnostic system for structural evaluation and monitoring within the Chornobyl Unit-4 shelter. A mobile robot, named Pioneer, will enter the damaged Chornobyl structure and employ devices to measure radiation, temperature and humidity; acquire core samples of concrete structures for subsequent engineering analysis; and make photo-realistic 3D maps of the building interior. This paper details the latter element, dubbed 'C-Map', the Chornobyl Mapping System. C-Map consists of an automated 3D modeling system using stereo computer vision along with an interactive, virtual reality software program to acquire and analyze the photo-realistic 3D maps of the damaged building interior.