LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones

In low-light conditions, UAV localization faces substantial challenges due to reduced visibility, elevated noise levels, and diminished contrast. To address these issues, we propose a low-light-optimized visual localization framework that integrates an attention-based image enhancement module, a rob...

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Main Authors: Ruokun Qu, Zhiyuan Wang, Yelu Liu, Chenglong Li, Hui Jiang, Chen Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/454
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author Ruokun Qu
Zhiyuan Wang
Yelu Liu
Chenglong Li
Hui Jiang
Chen Fang
author_facet Ruokun Qu
Zhiyuan Wang
Yelu Liu
Chenglong Li
Hui Jiang
Chen Fang
author_sort Ruokun Qu
collection DOAJ
description In low-light conditions, UAV localization faces substantial challenges due to reduced visibility, elevated noise levels, and diminished contrast. To address these issues, we propose a low-light-optimized visual localization framework that integrates an attention-based image enhancement module, a robust feature extraction network tailored for degraded environments, and a lightweight pose estimation algorithm that fuses geometric and convolutional features. Extensive evaluations on both real-world and synthetic low-light datasets reveal significant improvements in accuracy, noise resilience, and adaptability to dynamic lighting. Moreover, experimental results validate the framework’s feasibility for applications in night operations, urban air traffic management, and disaster response, thereby effectively overcoming the critical limitations of UAV positioning under low-light conditions.
format Article
id doaj-art-ac5e3a39a0ee499f9db5bae07f5e369b
institution OA Journals
issn 2226-4310
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Aerospace
spelling doaj-art-ac5e3a39a0ee499f9db5bae07f5e369b2025-08-20T02:24:01ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-05-0112645410.3390/aerospace12060454LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous DronesRuokun Qu0Zhiyuan Wang1Yelu Liu2Chenglong Li3Hui Jiang4Chen Fang5College of Air Traffic Management, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Chengdu 618307, ChinaCollege of Air Traffic Management, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Chengdu 618307, ChinaCollege of Air Traffic Management, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Chengdu 618307, ChinaCollege of Air Traffic Management, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Chengdu 618307, ChinaSchool of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610050, ChinaCollege of Air Traffic Management, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Chengdu 618307, ChinaIn low-light conditions, UAV localization faces substantial challenges due to reduced visibility, elevated noise levels, and diminished contrast. To address these issues, we propose a low-light-optimized visual localization framework that integrates an attention-based image enhancement module, a robust feature extraction network tailored for degraded environments, and a lightweight pose estimation algorithm that fuses geometric and convolutional features. Extensive evaluations on both real-world and synthetic low-light datasets reveal significant improvements in accuracy, noise resilience, and adaptability to dynamic lighting. Moreover, experimental results validate the framework’s feasibility for applications in night operations, urban air traffic management, and disaster response, thereby effectively overcoming the critical limitations of UAV positioning under low-light conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/454low-light UAV localizationimage enhancementfeature extractionpose estimationnoise robustnessdynamic lighting adaptability
spellingShingle Ruokun Qu
Zhiyuan Wang
Yelu Liu
Chenglong Li
Hui Jiang
Chen Fang
LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones
Aerospace
low-light UAV localization
image enhancement
feature extraction
pose estimation
noise robustness
dynamic lighting adaptability
title LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones
title_full LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones
title_fullStr LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones
title_full_unstemmed LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones
title_short LumiLoc: A Low-Light-Optimized Visual Localization Framework for Autonomous Drones
title_sort lumiloc a low light optimized visual localization framework for autonomous drones
topic low-light UAV localization
image enhancement
feature extraction
pose estimation
noise robustness
dynamic lighting adaptability
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/454
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AT zhiyuanwang lumilocalowlightoptimizedvisuallocalizationframeworkforautonomousdrones
AT yeluliu lumilocalowlightoptimizedvisuallocalizationframeworkforautonomousdrones
AT chenglongli lumilocalowlightoptimizedvisuallocalizationframeworkforautonomousdrones
AT huijiang lumilocalowlightoptimizedvisuallocalizationframeworkforautonomousdrones
AT chenfang lumilocalowlightoptimizedvisuallocalizationframeworkforautonomousdrones