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Monocular Depth Estimation to Predict Surface Reliefs of Mars
A different application of monocular depth estimation models
Several approaches to estimating surface elevation from a single image have been discussed in the literature. In a previous article, I discussed how it is possible to predict the depth of a single 2D image using a monocular estimation model. However, when the input to the model is an image of a particular surface, the prediction represents a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). In my first research paper I showed how a DEM of the surface of Mars can be obtained from 2D greyscale images using deep learning approaches. To better understand the idea I’m going to propose, I suggest you first to try the demo of the project here.
Introduction
As discussed in more detail in another story, the DEM of a surface is a grid of elevation values where each cell stores the elevation of a particular point on the surface:
DEMs are usually represented graphically using color maps. In the image above, the highest points are red and the lowest points are purple.