Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Applied Technology
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

ArUco Marker-Based autonomous UAV navigation for reconnaissance operations in urban terrain environments

Cahya Pradika (Universitas Pertahanan, Indonesia)
Imanuel Dindin (Universitas Pertahanan, Indonesia)
Erzi Agson Gani (Universitas Pertahanan, Indonesia)
Ardan Nagra Coutsar (Universitas Pertahanan, Indonesia)
Mochamad Riza Pratama (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study demonstrated the feasibility of autonomous UAV navigation in GPS-denied indoor environments using ArUco marker-based visual localization integrated with a VL53L1X LiDAR sensor and PX4 Offboard control. The developed system successfully validated markers, performed real-time pose estimation, and navigated sequentially through waypoints without human intervention. The web-based monitoring interface and QGroundControl integration operated reliably throughout all trials, enabling effective dual-platform telemetry monitoring and manual setpoint adjustment from a safe standoff position. The ArUco-marker-based detection, implemented using the OpenCV DICT_5×5_250 dictionary, validated marker identities within a functional altitude range of 40 to 200 cm. Third, across 61 trials discrete movement samples spanning four path configurations—straight-axis, lateral-right, lateral-left, and compound multi-direction—the system achieved an overall navigation success rate of 70%. Navigation failures caused by synchronization lag between UAV translational velocity and the camera’s image processing frame rate, which prevented timely marker validation during high-speed maneuvers. These results confirm that ArUco marker-guided UAV navigation is a viable, low-infrastructure solution for initial indoor reconnaissance in GPS-denied military environments, and establish a quantitative baseline for future enhancements, including precision landing algorithms and dynamic marker placement strategies.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jamat

Publisher

Subject

Automotive Engineering Control & Systems Engineering Engineering Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Materials Science & Nanotechnology

Description

Focus and Scopes The Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Applied Technology (JAMAT) is dedicated to disseminating original research, reviews, and case studies that contribute to the advancement of automotive engineering and mechanical technology. The journal provides a platform for academics, ...