Abstract: In one or more arrangements, a system for tracking, coordination, and/or control of livestock birthing operations is presented. In one or more arrangements the system includes a backend system and one or more personal electronic devices communicatively connected to the backend system. The personal electronic devices are configured to provide a user interface for workers to monitor and update information for a set of farrowing livestock animals in the backend system. In one or more arrangements, the system provides a platform implemented by operations coordination software on the backend system and the user interface on the personal electronic devices. The platform is designed to serve as the epicenter of day-to-day operations in livestock operations, tracking and providing critical information about employee performance, animal health, animal production, and link with and/or control performance of automated agricultural equipment and/or third-party technologies.

Abstract: In some examples, one or more processors of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), control a propulsion mechanism of the UAV to cause the UAV to navigate to a plurality of positions in relation to a scan target. Using one or more image sensors of the UAV, a first image of the scan target is captured from a first position of the plurality of positions, and a second image of the scan target is captured from a second position of the plurality of positions. A disparity is determined between the first image captured at the first position and the second image captured at the second position. A three-dimensional model corresponding to the scan target is determined based in part on the disparity determined between the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A conveyer apparatus may inspect and process pellet-shaped articles having a first side with a first characteristic and a second side having a second characteristic. The conveyer apparatus may include: a conveyer configured to convey pellet-shaped articles, a first pre-processing camera configured to generate a first pre-processing image of each of the pellet-shaped articles, a controller configured to receive the first pre-processing image and determine whether the first side or the second side of each of the pellet-shaped articles is facing the first lateral side of the conveyer path, a first processing device and a second processing device configured to process the first side of each of the pellet-shaped articles to produce a third characteristic, a first post-processing camera and a second post-processing camera, a post-processing light source configured to illuminate pellet-shaped articles with ultraviolet light; and an ejection unit configured to eject individual ones of the pellet-shaped articles.

Abstract: In some examples, one or more processors of an aerial vehicle access a scan plan including a sequence of poses for the aerial vehicle to assume to capture, using the one or more image sensors, images of a scan target. A next pose of the scan plan is checked for obstructions, and based at least on detection of an obstruction, the one or more processors determine whether a backup pose is available for capturing an image of the targeted point orthogonally along a normal of the targeted point. Responsive to determining that the backup pose is unavailable for capturing an image of the targeted point orthogonally along the normal of the targeted point, image capture of the targeted point is performed at an oblique angle to the normal of the targeted point.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include a landing surface configured to hold an unmanned aerial vehicle; a box configured to enclose the landing surface in a first arrangement of the dock and expose the landing surface in a second arrangement of the dock; and a retractable arm, wherein the landing surface is positioned at an end of the retractable arm and the retractable arm is configured to extend to move the landing surface outside of the box and contract to pull the landing surface inside of the box.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for new paradigms for user interaction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (referred to as a flying digital assistant or FDA) using a portable multifunction device (PMD) such as smart phone. In some embodiments, a magic wand user interaction paradigm is described for intuitive control of an FDA using a PMD. In other embodiments, methods for scripting a shot are described.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for structure scan using an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some methods include accessing a three-dimensional map of a structure; generating facets based on the three-dimensional map, wherein the facets are respectively a polygon on a plane in three-dimensional space that is fit to a subset of the points in the three-dimensional map; generating a scan plan based on the facets, wherein the scan plan includes a sequence of poses for an unmanned aerial vehicle to assume to enable capture, using image sensors of the unmanned aerial vehicle, of images of the structure; causing the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly to assume a pose corresponding to one of the sequence of poses of the scan plan; and capturing one or more images of the structure from the pose.

Abstract: In some examples, one or more processors of an aerial vehicle access a scan plan including a sequence of poses for the aerial vehicle to assume to capture, using the one or more image sensors, images of a scan target. A next pose of the scan plan is checked for obstructions, and based at least on detection of an obstruction, the one or more processors determine whether a backup pose is available for capturing an image of the targeted point orthogonally along a normal of the targeted point. Responsive to determining that the backup pose is unavailable for capturing an image of the targeted point orthogonally along the normal of the targeted point, image capture of the targeted point is performed at an oblique angle to the normal of the targeted point.

Abstract: In some examples, one or more processors of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), control a propulsion mechanism of the UAV to cause the UAV to navigate to a plurality of positions in relation to a scan target. Using one or more image sensors of the UAV, a first image of the scan target is captured from a first position of the plurality of positions, and a second image of the scan target is captured from a second position of the plurality of positions. A disparity is determined between the first image captured at the first position and the second image captured at the second position. A three-dimensional model corresponding to the scan target is determined based in part on the disparity determined between the first image and the second image.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for roof scan using an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some methods include capturing, using an unmanned aerial vehicle, an overview image of a roof of a building from above the roof; presenting a suggested bounding polygon overlaid on the overview image to a user; determining a bounding polygon based on the suggested bounding polygon and user edits; based on the bounding polygon, determining a flight path including a sequence of poses of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respective fields of view at a fixed height that collectively cover the bounding polygon; fly the unmanned aerial vehicle to a sequence of scan poses with horizontal positions matching respective poses of the flight path and vertical positions determined to maintain a consistent distance above the roof; and scanning the roof from the sequence of scan poses to generate a three-dimensional map of the roof.

Abstract: In some examples, an image of a scan target is presented in a user interface on a display associated with a computing device. The user interface receives at least one user input indicating at least one point in a perimeter or edge of a volume for encompassing the scan target presented in the image of the scan target. A graphical representation of the volume in relation to the image of the scan target is generated in the user interface. Information for defining a location of at least a portion of the volume in three-dimensional space is sent to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to cause, at least in part, the UAV to scan at least a portion of the scan target corresponding to the volume.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for identifying and averting exposed pellet-shaped article defects, deviations, and inclusions are disclosed. A vision system may be capable of identifying flaws/inclusions/defects/deviations affecting the exterior and/or interior of pellet-shaped articles via Ultra-Violet Light to instigate long-wave visible and Infra-red fluorescence. The UV Light and section of the visible spectrum not encompassing the instigated fluorescence may be removed with an optical filter so a camera can capture an image of discrete flaws/inclusions/defects/deviations. The vision system may send decision-signals to a mechanism to manipulate individual pellet-shaped articles. For example, a scam between halves of softgels may be rotated by an actuator having contact point(s) to hold a portion of the softgel stationary while a conveyer moves beneath causing rotation of the seam.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for new paradigms for user interaction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (referred to as a flying digital assistant or FDA) using a portable multifunction device (PMD) such as smart phone. In some embodiments, a magic wand user interaction paradigm is described for intuitive control of an FDA using a PMD. In other embodiments, methods for scripting a shot are described.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include a landing surface configured to hold an unmanned aerial vehicle; a box configured to enclose the landing surface in a first arrangement of the dock and expose the landing surface in a second arrangement of the dock; and a retractable arm, wherein the landing surface is positioned at an end of the retractable arm and the retractable arm is configured to extend to move the landing surface outside of the box and contract to pull the landing surface inside of the box.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include an unmanned aerial vehicle including a propulsion mechanism, a battery, and a processing apparatus; and a dock including a landing surface with a funnel geometry shaped to fit a bottom surface of the unmanned aerial vehicle at a base of the funnel, wherein tapered sides of the funnel form corners at the base of the funnel, and a battery charger configured to charge the battery of the unmanned aerial vehicle while the unmanned aerial vehicle is on the landing surface, wherein conducting contacts of the battery charger are on the landing surface, positioned at the bottom of the funnel.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for roof scan using an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some methods include capturing, using an unmanned aerial vehicle, an overview image of a roof of a building from above the roof; presenting a suggested bounding polygon overlaid on the overview image to a user; determining a bounding polygon based on the suggested bounding polygon and user edits; based on the bounding polygon, determining a flight path including a sequence of poses of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respective fields of view at a fixed height that collectively cover the bounding polygon; fly the unmanned aerial vehicle to a sequence of scan poses with horizontal positions matching respective poses of the flight path and vertical positions determined to maintain a consistent distance above the roof; and scanning the roof from the sequence of scan poses to generate a three-dimensional map of the roof.

Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include one or more processors configured to capture, with one or more image sensors, and while the UAV is in flight, a plurality of images of a target. The one or more processors may compare a first image of the plurality of images with a second image of the plurality of images to determine a difference between a current frame of reference position for the UAV and an estimate of an actual frame of reference position for the UAV. In addition, the one or more processors may determine, based at least on the difference, and while the UAV is in flight, an update to a three-dimensional model of the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to autonomously navigate a physical environment while capturing images of the physical environment. In some embodiments, the motion of the UAV and a subject in the physical environment may be estimated based in part on images of the physical environment captured by the UAV. In response to estimating the motions, image capture by the UAV may be dynamically adjusted to satisfy a specified criterion related to a quality of the image capture.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling an autonomous vehicle such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using objective-based inputs. In an embodiment, the underlying functionality of an autonomous navigation system is exposed via an application programming interface (API) allowing the UAV to be controlled through specifying a behavioral objective, for example, using a call to the API to set parameters for the behavioral objective. The autonomous navigation system can then incorporate perception inputs such as sensor data from sensors mounted to the UAV and the set parameters using a multi-objective motion planning process to generate a proposed trajectory that most closely satisfies the behavioral objective in view of certain constraints. In some embodiments, developers can utilize the API to build customized applications for the UAV. Such applications, also referred to as “skills,” can be developed, shared, and executed to control behavior of an autonomous UAV and aid in overall system improvement.

Abstract: Described herein are systems for automated docking of an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, some systems include a landing surface configured to hold an unmanned aerial vehicle; a box configured to enclose the landing surface in a first arrangement of the dock and expose the landing surface in a second arrangement of the dock; and a retractable arm, wherein the landing surface is positioned at an end of the retractable arm and the retractable arm is configured to extend to move the landing surface outside of the box and contract to pull the landing surface inside of the box.