Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.

Abstract: One variation of a system for generating thrust at an aerial vehicle includes: a primary electric motor; a rotor coupled to the motor; an internal-combustion engine; a clutch interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the internal-combustion engine; an engine shroud defining a shroud inlet between the rotor and the internal-combustion engine, extending over the internal-combustion engine, and defining a shroud outlet opposite the rotor; a cooling fan coupled and configured to displace air through the engine shroud; and a local controller configured to receive a rotor speed command specifying a target rotor speed, adjust a throttle setpoint of the internal-combustion engine according to the target rotor speed and a state of charge of a battery in the aerial vehicle, and drive the primary electric motor to selectively output torque to the rotor and to regeneratively brake the rotor according to the target rotor speed.

Abstract: One variation of a system for generating thrust at an aerial vehicle includes: a primary electric motor; a rotor coupled to the motor; an internal-combustion engine; a clutch interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the internal-combustion engine; an engine shroud defining a shroud inlet between the rotor and the internal-combustion engine, extending over the internal-combustion engine, and defining a shroud outlet opposite the rotor; a cooling fan coupled and configured to displace air through the engine shroud; and a local controller configured to receive a rotor speed command specifying a target rotor speed, adjust a throttle setpoint of the internal-combustion engine according to the target rotor speed and a state of charge of a battery in the aerial vehicle, and drive the primary electric motor to selectively output torque to the rotor and to regeneratively brake the rotor according to the target rotor speed.

Abstract: One variation of a system for generating thrust at an aerial vehicle includes: a primary electric motor; a rotor coupled to the motor; an internal-combustion engine; a clutch interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the internal-combustion engine; an engine shroud defining a shroud inlet between the rotor and the internal-combustion engine, extending over the internal-combustion engine, and defining a shroud outlet opposite the rotor; a cooling fan coupled and configured to displace air through the engine shroud; and a local controller configured to receive a rotor speed command specifying a target rotor speed, adjust a throttle setpoint of the internal-combustion engine according to the target rotor speed and a state of charge of a battery in the aerial vehicle, and drive the primary electric motor to selectively output torque to the rotor and to regeneratively brake the rotor according to the target rotor speed.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.

Abstract: One variation of a system for generating thrust at an aerial vehicle includes: a primary electric motor; a rotor coupled to the motor; an internal-combustion engine; a clutch interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the internal-combustion engine; an engine shroud defining a shroud inlet between the rotor and the internal-combustion engine, extending over the internal-combustion engine, and defining a shroud outlet opposite the rotor; a cooling fan coupled and configured to displace air through the engine shroud; and a local controller configured to receive a rotor speed command specifying a target rotor speed, adjust a throttle setpoint of the internal-combustion engine according to the target rotor speed and a state of charge of a battery in the aerial vehicle, and drive the primary electric motor to selectively output torque to the rotor and to regeneratively brake the rotor according to the target rotor speed.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.

Abstract: One variation of a system for generating thrust at an aerial vehicle includes: a primary electric motor; a rotor coupled to the motor; an internal-combustion engine; a clutch interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the internal-combustion engine; an engine shroud defining a shroud inlet between the rotor and the internal-combustion engine, extending over the internal-combustion engine, and defining a shroud outlet opposite the rotor; a cooling fan coupled and configured to displace air through the engine shroud; and a local controller configured to receive a rotor speed command specifying a target rotor speed, adjust a throttle setpoint of the internal-combustion engine according to the target rotor speed and a state of charge of a battery in the aerial vehicle, and drive the primary electric motor to selectively output torque to the rotor and to regeneratively brake the rotor according to the target rotor speed.

Abstract: One variation of a system for generating thrust at an aerial vehicle includes: a primary electric motor; a rotor coupled to the motor; an internal-combustion engine; a clutch interposed between the motor and an output shaft of the internal-combustion engine; an engine shroud defining a shroud inlet between the rotor and the internal-combustion engine, extending over the internal-combustion engine, and defining a shroud outlet opposite the rotor; a cooling fan coupled and configured to displace air through the engine shroud; and a local controller configured to receive a rotor speed command specifying a target rotor speed, adjust a throttle setpoint of the internal-combustion engine according to the target rotor speed and a state of charge of a battery in the aerial vehicle, and drive the primary electric motor to selectively output torque to the rotor and to regeneratively brake the rotor according to the target rotor speed.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.