Abstract: The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, to image stabilization systems for autonomous aerial vehicles. In some embodiments, a UAV including a central body, an image capture assembly that couples the image capture assembly to the central body. The image stabilization assembly is configured to provide structural protection and support around the image capture assembly while passively isolating the image capture assembly from vibrations and other motion of the central body while the UAV is in flight.

Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: Disclosed here are unmanned aerial vehicle embodiments including some embodiments having a fuselage, tail, and wings including example embodiments with an adaptable payload section, alternatively or additionally, modular flight surfaces including tail, wings and motor, alternatively or additionally the vehicle configured for short landings with reversible thrust, alternatively or additionally, the unmanned aerial vehicle configured with direct connection to moveable flight control surfaces.

Abstract: Landmarks are identified based on images of an area. A path is generated for a vehicle to traverse the area that includes the landmarks. Precise locations information indicative of locations of the vehicle and captured by a high accuracy position receiver of the vehicle while the vehicle traverses the path are received from the vehicle. At least some of the precise locations information are associated with the landmarks. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data are received from a UAV. The UAV data include aerial images of the area captured by the UAV and UAV location information corresponding to the aerial images. A three-dimensional model of the area is generated based on at least some of the precise locations information and the aerial images.

Abstract: A landing platform for a base station that is configured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The landing platform includes: alignment members that are configured for engagement with the UAV; drive brackets that are connected to the alignment members; and a drive member that is connected to the drive brackets such that the drive brackets extend between and connect the alignment members and the drive member, whereby movement of the drive member causes corresponding movement of the drive brackets and the alignment members to thereby reposition the UAV on the landing platform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enhancing vehicle range in a unmanned aircraft system is disclosed herein. An implementation of the method includes establishing a wireless communication channel between an unmanned aircraft and an end point and transmitting data from the unmanned aircraft to the end point over the wireless communication channel. This transmission is done in accordance with a transmission configuration, which defines a Forward Error Correction (FEC) value and a retry rate. The method further includes receiving transmission statistics related to transmitting the data and modifying the transmission configuration at least in part in response to the transmission statistics. The method also includes transmitting further data from the unmanned aircraft to the end point over the wireless communication channel in accordance with the modified transmission configuration.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a chassis and a gimbal module. The gimbal module includes at least one optical component that facilitates image capture, and is configured for removable connection to the chassis to facilitate repeated connection and disconnection of the gimbal module and interchangeability amongst a plurality of gimbal modules.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, including a processor-executable routines that, when executed by a processor, facilitate a performance of operations. The operations include detecting a condition using one or more sensors of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes motors. The operations include signaling the condition by causing one of the motors of the vehicle to produce an audible tone. The operations include defining an operating margin for the one of the motors to produce the audible tone. The operations include changing an amount of operating current supplied to the one of the motors based on a maximum amount of current that can be supplied to the one of the motors based on the operating margin.

Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a body, a landing platform supported by the body and configured to support the UAV, and a roof assembly movably coupled to the base. The roof assembly includes a cover defining a cavity therein and one or more ears coupled to the cover and movably coupled to the body such that the roof assembly is movable between a closed position, in which the cover is configured to enclose the landing platform and the UAV supported thereon, and an open position, in which the cover is located at least partially below the landing platform with respect to an elevational direction such that the landing platform is unobstructed by the cover to facilitate takeoff and landing of the UAV. The roof assembly is rotatable through an angular range of motion that is defined by the one or more ears.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for a method of operating a UAV as an access point for communication with one or more ground controllers and/or one or more other UAVs. In an implementation, a UAV establishes a connection, including an uplink and downlink, between the UAV and a ground controller such that the UAV is an access point with respect to the ground controller. The connection is established in accordance with a wireless protocol that divides the RF spectrum into bands of resource units with respect to uplinks and downlinks between access points and non-access points. The UAV identifies a single resource unit (RU) to support uplink traffic and instructs the ground controller to transmit uplink traffic on the single resource unit. The UAV receives uplink traffic from the ground controller on the single resource unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for determining asset efficiency. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) may be used to obtain aerial images of locations, property or structures. The aerial images may be geo-rectified, and a ortho-mosaic, digital surface model, or a point cloud may be created. In the context of an operation where mobile assets are used, such as construction or earth moving equipment, location-based event information may be obtained. The location-based event information may be used to determine road segment conditions or road topology where problematic road conditions likely exist.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a chassis and a gimbal module. The gimbal module includes at least one optical component that facilitates image capture, and is configured for removable connection to the chassis to facilitate repeated connection and disconnection of the gimbal module and interchangeability amongst a plurality of gimbal modules.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, for an unmanned aerial vehicle electromagnetic avoidance and utilization system. One of the methods includes obtaining a flight package indicating a flight pattern associated with inspecting a structure, the flight pattern causing the UAV to remain at a standoff distance from the structure, wherein the standoff distance is based on an electromagnetic field associated with the structure, and wherein the flight pattern is laterally constrained according to a property geofence associated with a right of way of the structure. The UAV is navigated according to the flight pattern, and the UAV captures images of the structure. For an initial portion of the flight pattern, the UAV navigates at an altitude based on the standoff distance and the property geofence towards the structure. The UAV determines a location at which to capture images of the structure, and the UAV provides the captured images to a user device.

Abstract: Autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, environmental illumination for autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles involves, in some embodiments, a UAV including upward-facing image capture devices, downward-facing image capture devices, one or more illumination sources, and a computer system. The computer system is configured to direct the one or more illumination sources to selectively emit light into a surrounding physical environment while the UAV is in flight, process images captured by any one or more of the plurality of upward-facing image capture devices or the plurality of downward-facing image capture devices to estimate a position and/or orientation of the aerial vehicle, generate a planned trajectory for the aerial vehicle through a physical environment based on the processing of the images, and control a propulsion system and/or flight surface of the aerial vehicle to cause the aerial vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the planned trajectory.

Abstract: Autonomous return to dock and docking procedures includes a dock and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The dock includes a first fiducial and second fiducial. The UAV includes a camera, one or more processors, and one or more memories. The one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in the one or more memories to determine to use the dock for a landing operation by processing a first image depicting the first fiducial, to determine a UAV placement for the landing operation at the dock by processing a second image depicting the second fiducial, and to perform the landing operation to land the UAV at the dock according to the UAV placement.

Abstract: A method, including receiving a first set of ultrasonic responses to first ultrasonic signals transmitted using one or more transducers; generating a confidence value based on a detection of a target value using the first set of ultrasonic responses; receiving a second set of ultrasonic responses to second ultrasonic signals transmitted using the one or more transducers; and updating the confidence value using the second set of ultrasonic responses.

Abstract: A method of docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a base station. The method includes landing the UAV on a landing platform of the base station; generally aligning the UAV with a charging hub of the base station; repositioning the UAV on the landing platform via engagement with the charging hub; and deflecting the charging hub to generally align electrical contacts on the UAV with corresponding electrical contacts on the charging hub.

Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for unmanned aerial vehicles and operations. An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a wireless communication system configured to establish a wireless link for at least flight control information for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The wireless communication system is configured to monitor the flight control information using a first wireless channel having a first bandwidth and periodically tune away to a second wireless channel having a second bandwidth wider than the first bandwidth for transmission of a beacon frame that includes remote identification information corresponding to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: a body; a landing platform that is supported by the body and which is configured to receive the UAV; and a charging hub that is configured for connection to the UAV. The charging hub is repositionable between an extended position, in which the charging hub is exposed from the landing platform, and a retracted position, in which the charging hub is concealed by the landing platform to thereby increase available landing space for the UAV on the landing platform.

Abstract: In some examples, a computing apparatus may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, direct the computing apparatus to perform various steps. For example, the program instructions may continually present a graphical user interface (GUI) at the computing apparatus including a display of a current view of the physical environment from a perspective of an aerial vehicle. The program instructions may detect user interactions with the GUI while the aerial vehicle is in flight. The user interactions may include instructions directing the aerial vehicle to maneuver within the physical environment and configure parameters for scanning a three-dimensional (3D) scan volume. The program instruction may then transmit, to the aerial vehicle, data encoding the instructions for performing a 3D scan of the 3D scan volume.