Abstract: Automatic terrain evaluation of landing surfaces, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes receiving a request to land a movable object and, in response to the request, identifying a target landing area on a landing surface based on at least one image of the landing surface obtained by the movable object. The method can further include directing the movable object to land at the target landing area.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of images from an imaging device carried by a movable object. The method further includes determining whether an environment type of the movable object is a first type or a second type according to sensing data received from one or more sensors of the movable object, identifying a target based on the plurality of images using a first method in response to determining that the environment type is the first type and using a second method different from the first method in response to determining that the environment type is the second type, and determining state information of the movable object or the target based on the plurality of images.

Abstract: A method for determining position of a target includes determining at least two measurement points of the target, obtaining vector data of at least two direction vectors based on an imaging position of the target on an imaging system and parameter data of the imaging system, and determining a distance between the target and the imaging system according to the vector data and a current vertical height of the imaging system. Each of the at least two direction vectors is a vector from the imaging system to a corresponding one of the at least two measurement points.

Abstract: A method for detecting a displacement of a mobile platform includes acquiring a first frame and a second frame using an imaging device coupled to the mobile platform, obtaining an angle of the imaging device relative to a reference level while acquiring the first frame, and determining the displacement of the mobile platform based at least on the first frame, the second frame, and the angle of the imaging device relative to the reference level.

Abstract: A method of controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes collecting, while the UAV traverses a flight path, a set of images corresponding to different fields of view of an environment around the UAV using multiple image capture devices. Each of the multiple image capture devices includes one of the different fields of view. The method further includes extracting a set of feature points from the set of images and selecting a subset of feature points from the set of feature points to be stored based on a number of image capture devices that collect images including the subset of feature points to aid navigation of the UAV.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a vehicle body and a multi-ocular imaging assembly. The multi-ocular imaging assembly includes at least two imaging devices disposed in and fixed to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method for detecting a displacement of a mobile platform is provided. The method includes acquiring a first frame and a second frame using an imaging device that is coupled to the mobile platform, and obtaining rotation data using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that is coupled to the mobile platform. The method also includes calculating a translation array based on the first frame, the second frame, and the rotation data. The method further includes determining the displacement of the mobile platform based on the translation array.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a vehicle body and a multi-ocular imaging assembly. The multi-ocular imaging assembly includes at least two imaging devices disposed in and fixed to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method of controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes collecting, while the UAV traverses a flight path, a first set of images corresponding to different fields of view of an environment around the UAV using multiple image capture devices. Each of the multiple image capture devices has one of the different fields of view. The method further includes extracting a first set of feature points from the first set of images, controlling the UAV to traverse a return path, and while the UAV traverses the return path, collecting a second set of images corresponding to the different fields of view using the multiple image capture devices and comparing the first set of feature points with a second set of feature points extracted from the second set of images.

Abstract: A method for detecting a displacement of a mobile platform is provided. The method includes acquiring a first frame and a second frame using an imaging device that is coupled to the mobile platform, and obtaining rotation data using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that is coupled to the mobile platform. The method also includes calculating a translation array based on the first frame, the second frame, and the rotation data. The method further includes determining the displacement of the mobile platform based on the translation array.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of images from an imaging device carried by a movable object. The method further includes determining whether an environment type of the movable object is a first type or a second type according to sensing data received from one or more sensors of the movable object, identifying a target based on the plurality of images using a first method in response to determining that the environment type is the first type and using a second method different from the first method in response to determining that the environment type is the second type, and determining state information of the movable object or the target based on the plurality of images.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) with an imaging device having at least two lenses includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) configured to measure rotations of a second stereoscopic frame acquired at a second time point in related to a first stereoscopic frame at a first time point, and a controller configured to acquire the first stereoscopic frame and the second stereoscopic frame, acquire rotation data of the second stereoscopic frame from said IMU, and match said first and second stereoscopic frames by combining the rotation data with the first and second stereoscopic frames. Said first stereoscopic frame overlaps with said second stereoscopic frame by a predetermined percentage.

Abstract: A method for detecting a displacement of a mobile platform includes obtaining a first frame and a second frame using an imaging device associated with the mobile platform and determining the displacement of the mobile platform based upon the first frame and the second frame.

Abstract: A device comprising a fin structure, a vent disposed in the fin structure, a cooling coil disposed in the vent, a light disposed in the fin structure and wherein the fin structure is configured to create a Coanda effect for air exiting the vent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obstacle detection and state information determination are provided. In some embodiments, a movable object may carry one or more imaging devices. The imaging devices may be arranged on the movable object so as to have a field of view oriented vertically relative to the movable object. The arrangement of the imaging device may complement or supplant existing arrangement schemes and provide efficient, multi-functional and cost-effective means of arranging imaging devices on movable objects.