A laser range scanner designed for minimum calibration complexity

Laser range scanners are a popular method for acquiring three-dimensional geometry due to their accuracy and robustness. Maximizing scanner accuracy while minimizing engineering costs is a key challenge to future scanner designs. Engineering costs arise from both expensive components and difficult calibration requirements. We propose a two camera range scanner design, specifically chosen to minimize calibration complexity and cost. This design eliminates all actuated components from the calibrated geometry. Since it is difficult to ensure absolute repeatability of moving parts, a design with only statically arranged components can dramatically reduce the costs associated with calibration.