Abstract:
A method is provided for limiting access to airspace by drones. The method includes receiving position information from a user associated with a property identified by the position information. The method also includes assembling the position information with other position information to compile a comprehensive configurable flight zone database. The method further includes pushing the configurable flight zone database to at least one drone. The drone accesses the configurable flight zone database to determine if movement is allowed, and the drone is programmed to not fly into areas identified in the configurable flight zone database. In the method, the drone may be further programmed to prohibit directing a camera into the areas identified in the configurable flight zone database.
Abstract:
An onboard system for controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (10). The system comprises: a flight management system (40) configured for controlling flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle (10); a mission control module (2) configured to send commands to the flight management system (40) for guiding the unmanned aerial vehicle (10) to perform a mission; a safety module (8) configured to communicate commands to the flight management system (40) for guiding the unmanned aerial vehicle (10) to fly in a safe mode; a communication control component (6) which is switchable between a mission state in which the flight management system (40) receives commands from the mission control module (2) and a safety state in which the flight management system (40) receives commands from the safety module (8); and a monitor module (4) configured to determine whether a trigger condition warranting a change in mode is present or not and to cause the communication control component (6) to switch from the mission state to the safety state when the trigger condition is present.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical and horizontal flight modes, a method of assembling a UAV, and a kit of parts for assembling a UAV. The UAV comprises an elongated wing structure having an elongated axis along the longest dimension of the elongated wing structure, the elongated wing structure having a middle location at a substantially halfway point; a connecting structure extending substantially perpendicularly from the elongated wing structure, the connecting structure being offset from the middle location of the elongated wing structure at a first position along the elongated axis; and at least three sets of propellers, wherein at least two sets of propellers are mounted on the connecting structure, and wherein at least one set of propellers is mounted at a second position offset from the middle location in an opposite direction away from the connecting structure.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle is described and includes a computer carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle to control flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle and at least one sensor. The unmanned aerial vehicle is caused to fly to a specific location within a facility, where the unmanned aerial vehicle enters a hover mode, where the unmanned aerial vehicle remains in a substantially fixed location hovering over the specific location within the facility and sends raw or processing results of sensor data from the sensor to a remote server system.
Abstract:
A method for determining information about an aircraft (202) may include receiving at a base station (206) an RFID tag location map (244) for the aircraft (202) and transmitting to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (204) the RFID tag location map (244) for the aircraft (202). The method may include generating navigation signals by the UAV (204) based at least in part on the received RFID tag location map (244) appropriate for controlling navigation of the UAV (204) proximate to an RFID tag (213) supported on the aircraft (202) at an RFID tag location, the RFID tag (213) having aircraft-related identifying data. The method may include receiving, by the base station (206), read-related data (266) from the UAV (204). The read-related data (266) may include aircraft-related identifying data when the RFID tag (213) is at the RFID tag location. The method may include determining, at the base station (206) from the received read-related data (266), information about the aircraft (202).
Abstract:
An unmanned aircraft structure evaluation system includes a computer system with an input unit, a display unit, one or more processors, and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium. Image display and analysis software causes the one or more processors to generate unmanned aircraft information. The unmanned aircraft information includes flight path information configured to direct an unmanned aircraft to fly a flight path around the structure.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses an unmanned helicopter, and belongs to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicles. The unmanned helicopter includes an air inlet system, an exhaust system, a cooling system and a dynamic balance system. The air inlet system is fixed on a second side; the exhaust system is fixed on a third side; and the cooling system is fixed on a first side, and the dynamic balance system is fixed on a tail. The airflow at the outside of the unmanned helicopter flows into the air inlet system smoothly, quickly and efficiently under the action of its own flow velocity relative to the unmanned helicopter, therefore the technical problem in the prior art that the air entering the fuselage with a unit volume is burnt insufficiently, which generates adverse effects on the normal flight of the unmanned helicopter, is solved.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method of charging and housing of an unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accommodator to accommodate an aircraft, a landing platform on which the aircraft lands, a housing portion to monitor state data by housing or charging the aircraft, and a sensor to assist in landing of the aircraft by allowing the aircraft to communicate with the apparatus. The apparatus enhances operational efficiency by reducing a travel time of the aircraft.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for navigating a vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a method comprises: (a) selecting, with aid of a processor, a subset of a plurality of sensors to be used for navigating the vehicle within the environment based on one or more predetermined criteria, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged on the vehicle such that each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to obtain sensor data from a different field of view; (b) processing, with aid of the processor, the sensor data from the selected sensor(s) so as to generate navigation information for navigating the vehicle within the environment; and (c) outputting, with aid of the processor, signals for controlling the vehicle based on the navigation information.