Abstract:
A system for facilitating automated landing and takeoff of an autonomous or pilot controlled hovering air vehicle with a cooperative underbody at a stationary or mobile landing place and an automated storage system used in conjunction with the landing and takeoff mechanism that stores and services a plurality of UAVs is described. The system is primarily characterized in that the landing mechanism is settable with 6 axes in roll, pitch, yaw, and x, y and z and becomes aligned with and intercepts the air vehicle in flight and decelerates the vehicle with respect to vehicle's inertial limits. The air vehicle and capture mechanism are provided with a transmitter and receiver to coordinate vehicle priority and distance and angles between landing mechanism and air vehicle. The landing and takeoff system has means of tracking the position and orientation of the UAV in real time. The landing mechanism will be substantially aligned to the base of the air vehicle. With small UAVs, their lifting capacity is limited. Reducing sensing and computation requirements by having the landing plate perform the precision adjustments for the landing operation allows for increased flight time and/or payload capacity.
Abstract:
A system and method for enhancing distribution logistics and surveillance ranges with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and at least one dock in a dock network. The UAV remains in communication with the dock for enhancing distribution logistics of at least one package and increasing the range of surveillance for the unmanned aerial vehicle. From the dock, the UAV delivers the package to a destination point, obtains the package from a pick up point, recharges the unmanned aerial vehicle throughout the network of docks, and increases the range of distribution and surveillance. A logistics software controls the delivery and surveillance. A wireless communication device enables communication between the UAV and the dock. Light indicators indicate status of the package and the operational status of the UAV. A camera captures an image of the package in the dock. A motion detector detects the UAV for regulating access for loading/unloading and docking.
Abstract:
An unmanned air-ground vehicle is provided. The unmanned air-ground vehicle includes a frame having a center portion connecting two substantially parallel transversely spaced apart track supports. Tracks that generally form loops are disposed about the track supports. Track drive motors are connected to the frame and configured to propel the tracks about the track supports. A plurality of propellers, each having propeller drive motors, are attached to the frame and disposed within the loops formed by the tracks. The tracks are configured to propel the vehicle in a ground mode while the propellers are configured to propel the vehicle in a flying mode.
Abstract:
Wearable unmanned aerial vehicles and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative unmanned aerial vehicle includes a wearable, flyable support structure, and a propulsion system carried by the support structure. The propulsion system can include a power source and a plurality of propellers. In particular embodiments, the support structure can include a wrist band.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
Abstract:
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ground station, comprising: a landing surface having a perimeter and a center; a plurality of pushers held above the landing surface by a plurality of linear actuators; at least one electro-mechanical connector attached to one of the plurality of pushers, mechanically adapted to be electrically connected to a compatible electro-mechanical connector of a UAV; and a landing detection controller adapted to instruct the plurality of linear actuators to move the plurality of pushers simultaneously from the perimeter toward the center when a landing event related to the UAV is detected.
Abstract:
A system for use in the secure recovery, management and storage of a drone can include a housing, at least one electromechanically operated door securing access to the housing and a retractable platform that can electromechanically extend from inside the housing to an area outside the housing when the at least one electromechanically operated door is opened. The retractable platform can serve as a landing pad for a drone and/or as a base onto which a drone can be received. The retractable platform can electromechanically move back into the housing and the door can close after receiving the drone. Communications components, alarms and cameras can also be associated with the housing to facilitate its operation for drone recovery, storage and security.
Abstract:
A mobile communications device includes a wireless communication transceiver to communicate commands or messages and to receive commands, measurements or messages, one or more memory devices, one or more processors, computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices, accessed from the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors to cause the mobile device to communicate, via the wireless communication transceiver, commands, messages or instructions to a first umbrella to control some operations of the first umbrella and communicate, via the wireless communication transceiver, commands, messages or instructions to a second umbrella to control some operations of the second umbrella. The wireless transceiver may communicate utilizing a personal area network (PAN) communications protocol, a wireless local area network communications protocol or a cellular communications protocol.