Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking at least position and angular orientation. The system comprises a computing device in communication with at least two cameras, wherein each of the cameras are able to capture images of one or more light sources attached to an object. A receiver is in communication with the computing device, wherein the receiver is able to receive at least angular orientation data associated with the object. The computing device determines the object's position by comparing images of the light sources and generates an output comprising the position and angular orientation of the object.

Abstract: A configurable real-time environment tracking and command module (RTM) is provided to coordinate one or more than one devices or objects in a physical environment. A virtual environment is created to correlate with various objects and attributes within the physical environment. The RTM is able to receive data about attributes of physical objects and accordingly update the attributes of correlated virtual objects in the virtual environment. The RTM is also able to provide data extracted from the virtual environment to one or more than devices, such as robotic cameras, in real-time. An interface to the RTM allows multiple devices to interact with the RTM, thereby coordinating the devices.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a plurality of aircraft to lift a common payload. The system comprises of multiple aircraft tethered to a common payload, where the group of said aircraft form a swarm that is controlled by a pilot station. Each said aircraft is autonomously stabilized and guided through a swarm avionics unit, which further comprises of sensor, communication, and processing hardware. At the said pilot station, a pilot remotely enters payload destinations, which is processed and communicated to each said aircraft. The method for controlling a multi-aircraft lifting system comprises of first inputting the desired location of the payload, and then determining a series of intermediary payload waypoints. Next, these payload waypoints are used by the swarm waypoint controller to generate individual waypoints for each aircraft; a flight controller for each aircraft moves the aircraft to these individual waypoints.