PsychologyAugust 2, 2026

odometry

oh-DOM-uh-tree

Definition

The use of data from motion sensors, such as wheel encoders or inertial measurement units, to estimate a robot or vehicle's change in position over time relative to a known starting location.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'hodos' (journey or path) and 'metron' (measure). It entered English in the 19th century to describe the measurement of distance traveled by a vehicle.

In the news

In the article, the author discusses how wheel odometry—which estimates position based on wheel rotation—can lead to map drift and navigation errors when wheels slip on polished airport floors.

Autonomous Navigation Failure Modes The Hong Kong Airport Ro

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