SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) for beginners: the basics

For those who are new into mobile robotics and want some introductions for "beginners", please checkout the posts and links in this forum thread: http://www.mrpt.org/node/441

More technical introductions from the scientific literature:

• About EKF-based SLAM with landmark maps:
  • Hugh Durrant-Whyte & Tim Bailey. "Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM): Part I The Essential Algorithms", (2006) (PDF)
  • Tim Bailey & Hugh Durrant-Whyte and . "Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM): Part II State of the Art", (2006) (PDF)
• An excellent introductory/advanced book: "Probabilistic Robotics".