Julien, Christine2012-02-242017-05-112012-02-242017-05-112011-12December 2http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2011-12-4559textThe range camera in Microsoft's Kinect, intended for the Xbox 360 gaming console, offers a powerful alternative to the many standard sensors used in robotics for gathering spatial information about a robot’s surroundings. The recently-released Kinect is the first commercially available product to provide depth data of its resolution and accuracy with a price tag within reach of many robotics projects. The work described in this paper explores the feasibility of using this sensor by developing a robot that relies solely on the Kinect for sensory data. This robot successfully performs standard navigational procedures, demonstrating the possibility of integrating spatial information from the Kinect into a real-time robotics application. This paper documents the techniques used to integrate the Kinect into the system, highlighting the key benefits and limitations of the sensor.application/pdfengRange imagingAutonomous navigationRoboticsthesis2012-02-242152/ETD-UT-2011-12-4559