Automatic Multi-Sensor Calibration for Autonomous Vehicles: A Rapid Approach to LiDAR and Camera Data Fusion

Precise sensor integration is crucial for autonomous vehicle (AV) navigation, yet traditional extrinsic calibration remains costly and labor-intensive. This study proposes an automated calibration approach that uses metaheuristic algorithms (Simulated Annealing (SA), Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)) to independently optimize rotational and translational parameters, reducing cross-compensation errors. Bayesian optimization is used offline to define the search bounds (and tune hyperparameters), accelerating convergence, while computer vision techniques enhance automation by detecting geometric features using a checkerboard reference and a Huber estimator for noise handling. Experimental results demonstrate high accuracy with a single-pose acquisition, supporting multi-sensor configurations and reducing manual intervention, making the method practical for real-world AV applications.