Rotorcraft often operate close to ground and obstacles, and eVTOL will do as well. This video demonstrates terrain depth sensing based on one single (monocular) visual camera in scenarios flown with a manned helicopter. It is based on our standard visual navigation algorithms (where priority is on positioning, not terrain mapping), runs in real-time based on downsampled forward camera input, and requires some translational movement of marginally textured background terrain to locate features in the image. At full camera resolution and optimized performance for terrain feature detection, it can reliably work at any operationally relevant distance for take-off, landing and cruise.

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