Object recognition apparatus, object recognition processing method, and non-transitory recording medium

An object recognition processing method comprising:

• performing an object recognition process based on measurement data of a ranging sensor and image data of a camera, the ranging sensor being configured to measure at least distances to reflection points based on reflected waves of applied irradiation waves, the camera being configured to generate the image data on an imaging range,
• the object recognition process comprising
• performing a predetermined first object recognition process for a short-distance region in which a distance from a predetermined base point is equal to or less than a first distance set as a minimum distance that allows for object recognition by the object recognition process based on the image data,
• performing a predetermined second object recognition process different from the first object recognition process, for a middle-distance region in which the distance from the predetermined base point is greater than the first distance and is equal to or less than a second distance set as an upper limit of a distance that allows for the object recognition by the object recognition process based on the image data, and
• performing a predetermined third object recognition process different from the first object recognition process and the second object recognition process, for a long-distance region in which the distance from the predetermined base point is greater than the second distance,
• the first object recognition process comprising performing the object recognition process using the measurement data,
• the second object recognition process comprising performing the object recognition process using the measurement data and the image data;
• and
• adjusting, based on data on a traveling environment of a mobile body, respective time periods for which the first object recognition process and the second object recognition process are to be performed, or a ratio between respective ranges in which the first object recognition process and the second object recognition process are to be performed in a measurement range in which the object recognition process is to be performed.

A non-transitory tangible computer readable recording medium containing a computer program, the computer program causing, when executed by a computer, the computer to implement a method, the method comprising:

• performing an object recognition process based on measurement data of a ranging sensor and image data of a camera, the ranging sensor being configured to measure at least distances to reflection points based on reflected waves of applied irradiation waves, the camera being configured to generate the image data on an imaging range,
• the object recognition process comprising
• performing a predetermined first object recognition process for a short-distance region in which a distance from a predetermined base point is equal to or less than a first distance set as a minimum distance that allows for object recognition by the object recognition process based on the image data,
• performing a predetermined second object recognition process different from the first object recognition process, for a middle-distance region in which the distance from the predetermined base point is greater than the first distance and is equal to or less than a second distance set as an upper limit of a distance that allows for the object recognition by the object recognition process based on the image data, and
• performing a predetermined third object recognition process different from the first object recognition process and the second object recognition process, for a long-distance region in which the distance from the predetermined base point is greater than the second distance,
• the first object recognition process comprising performing the object recognition process using the measurement data,
• the second object recognition process comprising performing the object recognition process using the measurement data and the image data;
• and
• adjusting, based on data on a traveling environment of a mobile body, respective time periods for which the first object recognition process and the second object recognition process are to be performed, or a ratio between respective ranges in which the first object recognition process and the second object recognition process are to be performed in a measurement range in which the object recognition process is to be performed.