At night, negative obstacles usually appear bright in infrared images.

A method of automated detection of negative obstacles (potholes, ditches, and the like) ahead of ground vehicles at night involves processing of imagery from thermal-infrared cameras aimed at the terrain ahead of the vehicles. The method is being developed as part of an overall obstacle-avoidance scheme for autonomous and semi-autonomous off-road robotic vehicles. The method could also be applied to help human drivers of cars and trucks avoid negative obstacles — a development that may entail only modest additional cost inasmuch as some commercially available passenger cars are already equipped with infrared cameras as aids for night-time operation.