Patent attributes
An example implementation includes (i) receiving sensor data that indicates topographical features of an environment in which a robotic device is operating, (ii) determining, for a particular topographical feature of the environment in a direction of travel of the robotic device, a height of the particular topographical feature and a distance between the robotic device and the particular topographical feature, (iii) estimating a ground plane extending from the robotic device in the direction of travel toward the particular topographical feature, the ground plane fitting to the determined distance and height, (iv) determining a grade of the estimated ground plane, and (v) directing the robotic device to adjust pitch in proportion to the determined grade.