Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerial system, comprising: a body; a lift mechanism coupled to the body; an optical system coupled to the body; and a computer system having at least one processor and at least one memory comprising first program instructions. When the first program instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the at least one processor may be configured to: receive a target operation, the target operation associated with a flight trajectory and a predefined action performed by the optical system and execute the target operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an unmanned flight system and a control system for an unmanned flight system. The unmanned flight system comprises: a body and a lift mechanism connected to the body, wherein the lift mechanism includes two rotor assembly arm structures respectively provided on two sides of the body, wherein each of the rotor assembly arm structures respectively includes: an arm, a pivotable rotor assembly, a motor for driving the rotor assembly to pivot about a pivot axis, and a motor base for mounting the motor, wherein one end of the arm is pivotally connected to one side of the body, the motor base is pivotally provided on the other end of the arm, and a rotational axis of the motor base is higher than a center of gravity of the unmanned flight system. The unmanned flight system according to the present disclosure can achieve a longer flight time, a simple rotor assembly structure, and easier overall assembly and maintenance.

Abstract: An aerial system, including a processing system, an optical system, an actuation system and a lift mechanism, includes an autonomous photography and/or videography system 70, implemented, at least in part, by the processing system 22, the optical system 26, the actuation system 28 and the lift mechanism 32. The autonomous photograph and/or videography system performs the steps of establishing a desired flight trajectory, detecting a target, controlling the flight of the aerial system as a function of the desired flight trajectory relative to the target using the lift mechanism and controlling the camera to capture pictures and/or video.

Abstract: An aerial system includes a body, a lift mechanism coupled to the body, a processing system, and at least one camera. The aerial system also includes a first motor configured to rotate the at least one camera about a first axis and a second motor configured to rotate the at least one camera about a second axis. The processing system is configured to determine a direction of travel of the aerial system and to cause the first motor and the second motor to automatically orient the at least one camera about the first axis and the second axis such that the at least one camera automatically faces the direction of travel of the aerial system.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an aerial system including a fuselage body and first and second rotor assemblies is described herein. The first and second rotor assemblies are coupled to the fuselage body by respective positioning assemblies. Each positioning assembly including a hinge assembly to enable the first and second rotor assemblies to pivot between a deployed position and a stowed position. A first positioning assembly including tapered positioning shaft. A second positioning assembly including a positioning sleeve having a tapered inner surface defining a cavity that is configure to receive the positioning shaft therein. The first positioning assembly being coupled to the second positioning assembly such that the first positioning assembly is rotatable about the rotor assembly rotational axis independent of the second rotor assembly.

Abstract: An aerial device includes a body, an optical system having gimbal supporting a camera, a lift mechanism coupled to the body, a haptic sensor coupled to the body and configured to generate haptic data, and a processing system disposed in the body and in data communication with the haptic sensor. The processing system is configured to process the haptic data to understand an intended position of the aerial device and/or an intended orientation of the gimbal and convert the intended position to a target position of the aerial device and/or the intended orientation to a target orientation of the gimbal utilizing said processed data irrespective of an initial position of said aerial device and an initial orientation of said gimbal. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the aerial device.

Abstract: An aerial system, including a processing system, an optical system, an actuation system and a lift mechanism, includes an autonomous photography and/or videography system 70, implemented, at least in part, by the processing system 22, the optical system 26, the actuation system 28 and the lift mechanism 32. The autonomous photograph and/or videography system performs the steps of establishing a desired flight trajectory, detecting a target, controlling the flight of the aerial system as a function of the desired flight trajectory relative to the target using the lift mechanism and controlling the camera to capture pictures and/or video.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an aerial system to perform a selected operation using an easy-to-use release and auto-positioning process.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle including a housing, an outrunner motor including a stator mechanically coupled to the housing and a rotor rotationally coupled to the stator, and a propeller removably coupled to the rotor, the propeller including a hub and a plurality of propeller blades. A rotor, a propeller including a hub and a propeller blade, a radial alignment mechanism, a rotational retention mechanism, and an axial retention mechanism.

Abstract: An aerial system includes a body, a propeller coupled to the body, and a motor coupled to the propeller. The motor is configured to rotate the propeller in a first direction, wherein an other portion of the aerial system rotates in an opposing second direction. The other portion of the aerial system that rotation in the opposing second direction may be the body or a second propeller. The aerial system also includes a processing system configured to control the motor to cause the aerial system to hover in a substantially fixed pose, and a camera configured to obtain images of an environment proximate the aerial system while the aerial system is hovering.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is described herein. The aerial vehicle includes a lift mechanism that includes a rotor blade assembly coupled to a motor assembly. The rotor blade assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades that are pivotably coupled to a rotor blade clamping mechanism. The rotor blade clamping mechanism includes an upper paddle clamp that is coupled to a lower paddle clamp. The upper paddle clamp includes a center protrusion and a plurality of blade support protrusions extending outwardly from the lower outer surface. The center protrusion includes a center shaft aperture sized and shaped to receive a motor shaft therein. Each blade support protrusion is sized and shaped to be inserted through a corresponding positioning aperture of a corresponding rotor blade. The lower paddle clamp includes a central recess to receive the center protrusion therein and a plurality of blade recesses to receive a corresponding blade support protrusion therein.

Abstract: An aerial device includes a body, an optical system having gimbal supporting a camera, a lift mechanism coupled to the body, a haptic sensor coupled to the body and configured to generate haptic data, and a processing system disposed in the body and in data communication with the haptic sensor. The processing system is configured to process the haptic data to understand an intended position of the aerial device and/or an intended orientation of the gimbal and convert the intended position to a target position of the aerial device and/or the intended orientation to a target orientation of the gimbal utilizing said processed data irrespective of an initial position of said aerial device and an initial orientation of said gimbal. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the aerial device.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an aerial system includes a body and first and second rotor assemblies. The first and second rotor assemblies are coupled to the body by respective hinges. The first and second rotor assemblies are movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. Each rotor assembly includes a shaft assembly coupled to the hinge at one end and having a rotor assembly mounted to an opposite end. A rotary actuator is coupled between the rotor assembly and the shaft assembly and is configured to controllably rotate the rotor assembly relative to the shaft assembly.

Abstract: An aerial system, including a processing system, an optical system, an actuation system and a lift mechanism, includes an autonomous photography and/or videography system 70, implemented, at least in part, by the processing system 22, the optical system 26, the actuation system 28 and the lift mechanism 32. The autonomous photograph and/or videography system performs the steps of establishing a desired flight trajectory, detecting a target, controlling the flight of the aerial system as a function of the desired flight trajectory relative to the target using the lift mechanism and controlling the camera to capture pictures and/or video.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an aerial system to perform a selected operation using an easy-to-use release and auto-positioning process.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle is described herein. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage body, a lift mechanism coupled to the fuselage body, and a depth sensing and obstacle avoidance system coupled to the fuselage body. The depth sensing and obstacle avoidance system includes a platform assembly, a pair of stereovision cameras coupled to a platform assembly, and a motor assembly coupled to the fuselage body and to the platform assembly. The platform assembly includes a support member extending between a first end and an opposite second end along a longitudinal axis. The pair of stereovision cameras includes each stereovision camera positioned at an opposite end of the support member. The motor assembly is configured to rotate the platform assembly with respect to the fuselage body about a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling an aerial system with a rotor enclosed by a housing, including: operating the rotor in a flight mode, detecting a grab event indicative of the aerial system being grabbed, and automatically operating the rotor in a standby mode. A method for controlling an aerial system including a central axis extending normal to a lateral plane of the aerial system, including: generating a first aerodynamic force with a set of rotors enclosed by a housing, detecting that an acute angle between the central axis and a gravity vector is greater than a threshold angle, and operating each rotor of the set of rotors to cooperatively generate a second aerodynamic force less than the first aerodynamic force with the set of rotors.

Abstract: An aerial system, preferably including one or more proximity sensors, such as sensors arranged in opposing directions. A method for aerial system operation, preferably including: determining a set of sensors; sampling measurements at the set of sensors; localizing the aerial system based on the measurements, such as to determine one or more obstacle clearances; and controlling system flight, such as based on the clearances.

Abstract: An aerial system, preferably including one or more housings. A housing for an aerial system, preferably including: a first and second piece that cooperatively surround one or more propellers of the aerial system; and a retention mechanism that removably couples the first piece to the second piece. A method for aerial system operation, preferably including attaching and/or detaching housing pieces of the aerial system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for a multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) motor system with reduced number of electromagnet control phases. The motor system includes a first body that is able to move relative to a second body along multiple DOFs. The first body has at least one magnetic positioner attached. The second body has a plurality of controlled electromagnets. Control signals, the total number of phases of which is less than half the total number of electromagnets, energize at least one of the controlled electromagnets to create magnetic interaction with at least one magnetic positioner on the first body, and to control the movement of the first body relative to the second body along designated dimension(s).