# ConvBKI: Real-Time Probabilistic Semantic Mapping Network with Quantifiable Uncertainty Source: [ConvBKI: Real-Time Probabilistic Semantic Mapping Network with Quantifiable Uncertainty]() Collection index: [llms.txt]() Data updated: 2025-10-28T13:57:10.859Z Authors: Joey Wilson, Yuewei Fu, Joshua Friesen, Parker Ewen, Andrew Capodieci, Paramsothy Jayakumar, Kira Barton, Maani Ghaffari Published: 2023-10-24T17:30:26.000Z ## Abstract In this paper, we develop a modular neural network for real-time {\\color{black}(\> 10 Hz)} semantic mapping in uncertain environments, which explicitly updates per-voxel probabilistic distributions within a neural network layer. Our approach combines the reliability of classical probabilistic algorithms with the performance and efficiency of modern neural networks. Although robotic perception is often divided between modern differentiable methods and classical explicit methods, a union of both is necessary for real-time and trustworthy performance. We introduce a novel Convolutional Bayesian Kernel Inference (ConvBKI) layer which incorporates semantic segmentation predictions online into a 3D map through a depthwise convolution layer by leveraging conjugate priors. We compare ConvBKI against state-of-the-art deep learning approaches and probabilistic algorithms for mapping to evaluate reliability and performance. We also create a Robot Operating System (ROS) package of ConvBKI and test it on real-world perceptually challenging off-road driving data. ## Recorded benchmark results A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage. ## Original sources and implementation [Original paper]() [PDF]()