Visual tracking and learning using speeded up robust features

A speeded up robust features (SURF) based optical flow algorithm is presented for visual tracking in real scenarios. SURF construct invariant features to correspond the blobs of interest across frames. Meanwhile, new feature-based optical flow algorithm is used to compute the warp matrix of a region centered on SURF key points. Furthermore, on-line visual learning for long-term tracking is performed using incremental object subspace method, which includes the correct update of the sample mean and appearance model. The proposed SURF based tracking and learning method contributes measurably to improving overall tracking performance. Experimental work demonstrates that the proposed strategy improves the performance of the classical optical flow algorithms in complicated real scenarios.

► A SURF based optical flow algorithm is presented for visual tracking. ► On-line visual learning is performed using incremental object subspace method. ► The proposed method can conquer shape deformation, scale and illumination variant.