What Is The Best 3D Scene Representation for Robotics? From Geometric to Foundation Models

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2512.03422v1
• Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 03:57:01 GMT
• Title: What Is The Best 3D Scene Representation for Robotics? From Geometric to Foundation Models
• Authors: Tianchen Deng, Yue Pan, Shenghai Yuan, Dong Li, Chen Wang, Mingrui Li, Long Chen, Lihua Xie, Danwei Wang, Jingchuan Wang, Javier Civera, Hesheng Wang, Weidong Chen,
• Abstract summary: Current SLAM and localization systems rely on sparse representations like point clouds and voxels.<n>NeRF, 3DGS, and foundation models are well-suited for integrating high-level semantic features and language-based priors.
• Score: 68.35971238810863
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
• Abstract: In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of existing scene representation methods for robotics, covering traditional representations such as point clouds, voxels, signed distance functions (SDF), and scene graphs, as well as more recent neural representations like Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF), 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS), and the emerging Foundation Models. While current SLAM and localization systems predominantly rely on sparse representations like point clouds and voxels, dense scene representations are expected to play a critical role in downstream tasks such as navigation and obstacle avoidance. Moreover, neural representations such as NeRF, 3DGS, and foundation models are well-suited for integrating high-level semantic features and language-based priors, enabling more comprehensive 3D scene understanding and embodied intelligence. In this paper, we categorized the core modules of robotics into five parts (Perception, Mapping, Localization, Navigation, Manipulation). We start by presenting the standard formulation of different scene representation methods and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of scene representation across different modules. This survey is centered around the question: What is the best 3D scene representation for robotics? We then discuss the future development trends of 3D scene representations, with a particular focus on how the 3D Foundation Model could replace current methods as the unified solution for future robotic applications. The remaining challenges in fully realizing this model are also explored. We aim to offer a valuable resource for both newcomers and experienced researchers to explore the future of 3D scene representations and their application in robotics. We have published an open-source project on GitHub and will continue to add new works and technologies to this project.

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