Method for recovery of heading from motion

A new method for recovery of heading from motion is developed on the basis of Longuet-Wiggins and Prazdny's algorithm [Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 208 , 385 (1980)]. In the algorithm a radial virtual flow field is generated an d the difference between the original velocity field and the virtual radial field is computed. The difference vectors, which are directed to the headi ng point in the projected plane, allow us to estimate the direction of head ing. The simulations of the algorithm were performed, and it was shown that the method estimates the direction of heading accurately. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America [S0740-3232(00)02206-7].