Data processing method onboard a machine using database storing definition data of landmark objects along a predetermined path of the machine, associated data processing device and computer program

A data processing device (10) aimed to be positioned onboard a machine (1) adapted to move on at least one predetermined path (21, 22);

• said data processing device including:
• a database (11) storing definition data of landmark objects along the predetermined path definition data of each landmark object being associated to its 3D geographical coordinates;
• a capture block (18) providing images of the scene in front of the machine (1), said capture block including at least a teledetection block (13) adapted for emitting waves towards the path in front of the machine, for receiving echoes of emitted waves from at least one echoing object, to create an image from the received echos and to calculate from said waves and echoes, direction and distance, relative to the machine, of said echoing object;
• wherein:
• the capture block (18) is adapted to capturing a set of images of the current scene comprising at least one image from the teledetection block (13);
• the data processing device being adapted to identify in said image a landmark object (50) as a function of landmark object definition data in the database (11) and, using the image from the teledetection block (13), to determine direction and distance, relative to the machine (1), of the identified landmark object;
• the data processing device being further adapted to determine the current 3D position of the machine (1) as a function of said determined direction and distance relative to the machine and of the 3D geographical coordinates associated with the identified landmark object in the database (11).