ConvBKI: Real-Time Probabilistic Semantic Mapping Network with Quantifiable Uncertainty
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Abstract (arXiv)
In this paper, we develop a modular neural network for real-time colorblack(> 10 Hz) semantic mapping in uncertain environments, which explicitly updates per-voxel probabilistic distributions within a neural network layer. Our approach combines the reliability of classical probabilistic algorithms with the performance and efficiency of modern neural networks. Although robotic perception is often divided between modern differentiable methods and classical explicit methods, a union of both is necessary for real-time and trustworthy performance. We introduce a novel Convolutional Bayesian Kernel Inference (ConvBKI) layer which incorporates semantic segmentation predictions online into a 3D map through a depthwise convolution layer by leveraging conjugate priors. We compare ConvBKI against state-of-the-art deep learning approaches and probabilistic algorithms for mapping to evaluate reliability and performance. We also create a Robot Operating System (ROS) package of ConvBKI and test it on real-world perceptually challenging off-road driving data.
Key facts. Cited by 11 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 38 of its 73 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 24 Oct 2023.
Builds on
38 of 73 references.
References · 38
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26 more
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Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2024: 4; 2025: 4; 2026: 3.
11 papers.
- 2025POp-GS: Next Best View in 3D-Gaussian Splatting with P-Optimalitycited by 18
- 2024Modeling Uncertainty in 3D Gaussian Splatting through Continuous Semantic Splattingcited by 12
- 2024Evidential Semantic Mapping in Off-road Environments with Uncertainty-aware Bayesian Kernel Inferencecited by 6
- 2025These Magic Moments: Differentiable Uncertainty Quantification of Radiance Field Modelscited by 6
- 2025Understanding while Exploring: Semantics-driven Active Mappingcited by 5
- 2024Uncertainty-aware Semantic Mapping in Off-road Environments with Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidencecited by 2
- 2024LatentBKI: Open-Dictionary Continuous Mapping in Visual-Language Latent Spaces with Quantifiable Uncertaintycited by 2
- 2025SLIM-VDB: A Real-Time 3D Probabilistic Semantic Mapping Frameworkcited by 0
- 2026Belief Consistency Between Foundation-Model Evidence and Geometric Perception in Persistent Robotic Mapscited by 0
- 2026VoxelFix: Post-Hoc Semantic Correction of Completed 3D Voxel Mapscited by 0
- 2026DIGS: Distribution-Informed Gaussian Splatting for Training-Free Open-Vocabulary 3D Segmentationcited by 0
- 2026DIGS: Distribution-Informed Gaussian Splatting for Training-Free Open-Vocabulary 3D Segmentation12 Oct 2026
- 2026VoxelFix: Post-Hoc Semantic Correction of Completed 3D Voxel Maps4 Sep 2026
- 2026Belief Consistency Between Foundation-Model Evidence and Geometric Perception in Persistent Robotic Maps29 May 2026
- 2025SLIM-VDB: A Real-Time 3D Probabilistic Semantic Mapping Framework15 Dec 2025
- 2025Understanding while Exploring: Semantics-driven Active Mapping30 May 2025
- 2025These Magic Moments: Differentiable Uncertainty Quantification of Radiance Field Models18 Mar 2025
- 2025POp-GS: Next Best View in 3D-Gaussian Splatting with P-Optimality10 Mar 2025
- 2024Modeling Uncertainty in 3D Gaussian Splatting through Continuous Semantic Splatting4 Nov 2024
- 2024LatentBKI: Open-Dictionary Continuous Mapping in Visual-Language Latent Spaces with Quantifiable Uncertainty15 Oct 2024
- 2024Uncertainty-aware Semantic Mapping in Off-road Environments with Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidence10 May 2024
- 2024Evidential Semantic Mapping in Off-road Environments with Uncertainty-aware Bayesian Kernel Inference21 Mar 2024