Chip-based adaptive skin color detection using trajectory constraints on hue

Abstract

Background: In a construction site, the safety of workers can be better secured if vehicle or robot can be properly maneuvered by using image-based gesture guidance. This kind of semi-automatic motion control is based on the features extracted in colors, outlines, textures, and motion intentions. Among these features, detecting worker? s skin color on face and hands could serve as an essential method for enabling robot to determine the region of interest (ROI). However, the performance of skin detection is usually unreliable due to interferences from reflections and shadows. Although many efficient skin color detection methods had been developed in past years, those are mostly based on complicated learning and statistical processes and are unsuitable for embedded systems. The exploration of a concise and efficient skin color detector, therefore, becomes a challenge for applications in mobile robots.