Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods for maintaining control of a robotic vehicle when control signals from a main controller are lost. A detector circuit may monitor signals from the main controller to an electronic speed controller (ESC) to detect a loss of valid control signals. The detector circuit may cause an auxiliary controller to begin issuing motor control signals to the ESC in response to detecting a loss of valid control signals. The auxiliary controller may be configured to issue motor control signals to the ESC according to a pre-loaded set of motor control instructions. The pre-loaded set of motor control instructions may be received from the main controller and/or may be configured to cause the auxiliary controller to issue motor control signals to the ESC that control motors in a manner that causes the robotic vehicle to enter a safe mode of operation or execute a particular maneuver.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a robotic manipulator that includes a base, a first segment, a first joint operatively coupling the base and the first segment, a second segment, and a second joint operatively coupling the first segment and the second segment are provided. The first joint is configured to rotate the first segment about at least two axes of rotation with respect to the base. The second joint is configured to rotate the second segment about at least one axis of rotation with respect to the first segment.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a drone having a landing control device that is configured to rotate wings into an auto-rotation decent configuration causing the drone to enter a nose-down attitude and spin about a long axis of the drone, and to collectively control pivot angles of the wings to enables control of decent rate and lateral motion during an auto-rotation descent. The landing control device may be a landing carousel including a pivotal frame secured to a drone body and configured to rotate about a carousel axis extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The landing carousel may include a first wing motor configured to pivot a first wing about a wing pivot axis extending parallel to the carousel axis, and a second wing motor configured to pivot a second wing about the wing pivot axis independent of the pivot the first wing.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods for maintaining control of a robotic vehicle when control signals from a main controller are lost. A detector circuit may monitor signals from the main controller to an electronic speed controller (ESC) to detect a loss of valid control signals. The detector circuit may cause an auxiliary controller to begin issuing motor control signals to the ESC in response to detecting a loss of valid control signals. The auxiliary controller may be configured to issue motor control signals to the ESC according to a pre-loaded set of motor control instructions. The pre-loaded set of motor control instructions may be received from the main controller and/or may be configured to cause the auxiliary controller to issue motor control signals to the ESC that control motors in a manner that causes the robotic vehicle to enter a safe mode of operation or execute a particular maneuver.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a drone having a landing control device that is configured to rotate wings into an auto-rotation decent configuration causing the drone to enter a nose-down attitude and spin about a long axis of the drone, and to collectively control pivot angles of the wings to enables control of decent rate and lateral motion during an auto-rotation descent. The landing control device may be a landing carousel including a pivotal frame secured to a drone body and configured to rotate about a carousel axis extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The landing carousel may include a first wing motor configured to pivot a first wing about a wing pivot axis extending parallel to the carousel axis, and a second wing motor configured to pivot a second wing about the wing pivot axis independent of the pivot the first wing.

Abstract: Solid-state electronic light detection and ranging (LIDAR) is disclosed. In one aspect, an electronic device for use in a LIDAR system is provided. The electronic device includes a plurality of electrically controllable light-direction-changing elements. The electronic device is configured to receive, from a laser, a beam of light. The electronic device also receives, from a controller, a series of signals that control the electrically controllable light-direction-changing elements to generate a successive series of different diffraction grating patterns configured to move at least one intensity maxima to a corresponding successive series of locations across a field of view (FOV).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein relate to an embedded measurement (EM) system arranged on a robotic vehicle. The EM system includes a processor and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the processor. Each of the at least one sensor is embedded in a respective subsystem of the robotic vehicle to measure telemetry data thereof while the robotic vehicle is in transit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a controller for controlling various aspects of a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the controller including, but not limited to, a controller body having a first portion configured to secure to a user of the controller and a first controller configured for controlling at least flight of the UAV. The controller is portable via the first portion. The first controller is operable with a single hand of the user.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein for a robotic manipulator that includes a base, a first segment, a first joint operatively coupling the base and the first segment, a second segment, and a second joint operatively coupling the first segment and the second segment. The first joint is configured to rotate the first segment about at least two axes of rotation with respect to the base. The second joint is configured to rotate the second segment about at least one axis of rotation with respect to the first segment.

Abstract: A robotic device includes multiple sprockets coupled to a tread module. The robotic device also includes multiple first drive gears coupled to a drive shaft gear of the tread module. The robotic device further includes a second drive gear coupled to a carousel gear of the tread module.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relates to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) having vibration dampening and isolation capabilities, the UAV including a first frame portion, a second frame portion, and a third frame portion. Each of the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the third frame portion is separated from one another. At least one first support member inelastically coupling the first frame portion and the third frame portion. At least one second support member elastically coupling the second frame portion and one or more of the first frame portion or the third frame portion to isolate the first frame portion and the third frame portion from vibration of the second frame portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein related to an unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a frame portion, two rear arms extending away from the frame portion, and at least one rear air propulsion device arranged on each of the rear arms at an orthogonal angle relative to a vertical axis. The at least one rear air propulsion device has an axis of rotation for both lift and rotation based on the angle. The unmanned aerial vehicle has two front arms arranged along a horizontal axis. The vertical axis is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The unmanned aerial vehicle also includes at least one camera arranged on at least one of the front arms. The at least one camera faces a front direction.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a controller for controlling various aspects of a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the controller including, but not limited to, a controller body having a first portion configured to secure to a user of the controller and a first controller configured for controlling at least flight of the UAV. The controller is portable via the first portion. The first controller is operable with a single hand of the user.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relates to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) having vibration dampening and isolation capabilities, the UAV including a first frame portion, a second frame portion, and a third frame portion. Each of the first frame portion, the second frame portion, and the third frame portion is separated from one another. At least one first support member inelastically coupling the first frame portion and the third frame portion. At least one second support member elastically coupling the second frame portion and one or more of the first frame portion or the third frame portion to isolate the first frame portion and the third frame portion from vibration of the second frame portion.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles and methods for providing the same are disclosed. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations related to a support frame. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations with a continuous track for ground propulsion. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations related to payload clamps.

Abstract: Remote sensing systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The remote sensing systems may include mirrors coupled to propulsion portions of a vehicle with which the remote sensing systems are integrated. The remote sensing systems may further include light transmitters and light receivers coupled to fixed portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles and methods for providing the same are disclosed. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations related to a support frame. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations with a continuous track for ground propulsion. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations related to payload clamps.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles and methods for providing the same are disclosed. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations related to a support frame. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations with a continuous track for ground propulsion. The unmanned aerial vehicles may have various configurations related to payload clamps.

Abstract: A robotic device includes multiple sprockets coupled to a tread module. The robotic device also includes multiple first drive gears coupled to a drive shaft gear of the tread module. The robotic device further includes a second drive gear coupled to a carousel gear of the tread module.

Abstract: A robotic device includes multiple sprockets coupled to a tread module. The robotic device also includes multiple first drive gears coupled to a drive shaft gear of the tread module. The robotic device further includes a second drive gear coupled to a carousel gear of the tread module.