  Semantic maps represent the environment using a set of semantically
meaningful objects. This representation is storage-efficient, less ambiguous,
and more informative, thus facilitating large-scale autonomy and the
acquisition of actionable information in highly unstructured, GPS-denied
environments. In this letter, we propose an integrated system that can perform
large-scale autonomous flights and real-time semantic mapping in challenging
under-canopy environments. We detect and model tree trunks and ground planes
from LiDAR data, which are associated across scans and used to constrain robot
poses as well as tree trunk models. The autonomous navigation module utilizes a
multi-level planning and mapping framework and computes dynamically feasible
trajectories that lead the UAV to build a semantic map of the user-defined
region of interest in a computationally and storage efficient manner. A
drift-compensation mechanism is designed to minimize the odometry drift using
semantic SLAM outputs in real time, while maintaining planner optimality and
controller stability. This leads the UAV to execute its mission accurately and
safely at scale.

Robotics;Artificial Intelligence