Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), the UAV includes an electronic speed controller and a flight controller. The electric speed controller is interfaced with thrust motors of the UAV. The flight controller configured to: determine a geographic location and a velocity of the UAV, the velocity includes a first component and a second component. The flight controller is configured to determine a distance between the geographic location of the UAV and a closest segment of a no-fly zone. The flight controller is configured to determine a zone of deceleration, the zone of deceleration comprising: a distal section and a proximal section. The flight controller in response to the UAV crossing a switch point, located at an intersection of the distal section and the proximal section, changing a deceleration rate of the UAV from a first deceleration rate to a second deceleration rate by adjusting the electric speed controller and the thrust motors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ground control point assignment and determination. One of the methods includes receiving information describing a flight plan for the UAV to implement, the flight plan identifying one or more waypoints associated with geographic locations assigned as ground control points. A first waypoint identified in the flight plan is traveled to, and an action to designate a surface at the associated geographic location is designated as a ground control point. Location information associated with the designated surface is stored. The stored location information is provided to an outside system for storage.

Abstract: Disclosed here are airframe component assemblies including example embodiments with a root connected to an aircraft fuselage, a free section with a connection portion with holes, a slidable attachment section formed to fit between the root and the free section, and an elastomeric retention device coupled to the root and the slidable attachment section, the elastomeric retention device configured to exert a force to pull the slidable attachment toward the root.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for controlling the flight of an aircraft such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. In example embodiments, the GUI includes a view of a physical environment from the perspective of the aircraft as well as various interactive elements through which a user can interact. The interactive elements presented in the GUI and the way in which user interaction with such elements is interpreted can depend on user selection from multiple available control modes. In some embodiments, user interaction with the GUI is interpreted based on a selected control mode and translated into behavioral objectives that are processed, along with other behavioral objectives, by a motion planner to maneuver the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking a subject in a physical environment using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) guided by device-free radio frequency (RF) localization. Wireless transmitters emit RF signals through the environment, and wireless monitors detect changes in the RF signals caused by interference when the subject passes through the environment. A processing unit analyzes the detected changes to estimate a position of the subject without requiring the subject to carry a transmitting device. The processing unit generates control commands to cause the UAV to autonomously maneuver such that an onboard image capture device maintains the subject within a field of view. The subject type and orientation are classified based on RF signal characteristics, and tracking may be refined by fusing the estimated position with data from an inertial measurement unit or image capture device of the UAV.

Abstract: A charging hub for a base station that is configured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during docking. The charging hub includes: a charging base; a registration member that is connected to the charging base and which is configured for engagement with the UAV; and a charging head that is configured for electrical connection to the UAV. The charging head is repositionable in relation to the charging base and the registration member between normal and deflected positions to facilitate alignment between corresponding electrical contacts on the UAV and the charging head.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) logs first UAV information at a first frequency. The UAV triggers a camera associated with the UAV to capture an image. In response to triggering the camera to capture the image, the UAV logs second UAV information at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. A device that is separate from the UAV identifies a location of the UAV corresponding to the image based on a capture timestamp of the image received from the camera, the first UAV information, and the second UAV information. The device generates a geo-rectified imagery based on the image and the location of the UAV.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for dynamically selecting a communication channel for communication between an unmanned aerial vehicle and an access point. In an implementation, an unmanned aerial vehicle selects a current channel for communicating with an access point by performing a scan of the communication channels and, for each channel, generating a score based on performance metrics acquired during the scan. The communication channels are sorted into an ordered list according to the scores of the communication channels. The vehicle selects the first channel of the ordered list to be the current channel and periodically evaluates the channel performance against a performance threshold. Upon determining that the performance of the current channel is below the performance threshold, the vehicle evaluates the second channel from the ordered list.

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.