An object of the present invention is to detect a three-dimensional object
by use of a single-eyed camera with a higher degree of accuracy by
eliminating false detection of an obstacle, which is caused by a
detection error of a vehicle speed sensor or that of a rudder angle
sensor.A top view of a first image including a road surface image is
created. The first image is imaged by a camera mounted to a vehicle.
Then, a top view of a second image is created. The second image is imaged
at a timing different from the timing when the first image is imaged. The
two top views are associated with each other on the basis of a
characteristic shape on the road surface. In each overlapped portion of
the two top views, an area in which a difference occurs is identified as
an obstacle.