Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a base. The base defines a cavity therein and includes a lower surface that defines one or more drainage slots to provide drainage egress from the cavity of the body. The base further includes a landing platform supported by the body. The landing platform includes a front grate in fluid communication with a thermal management system of the base station via a front thermal management duct that is configured to direct the drainage that enters the front thermal management duct through the front grate towards the one or more drainage slots and a rear grate in fluid communication with the thermal management system of the base station via a rear thermal management duct that is configured to direct the drainage that enters the rear thermal management duct through the rear grate towards the one or more drainage slots.

Abstract: A landing platform for a base station that is configured to dock with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The landing platform includes: a stage that defines landing areas, which are configured to receive the UAV during docking; alignment members that are configured to engage and reposition the UAV during a first stage of alignment; and a charging hub that is configured for electrical connection to the UAV. The charging hub includes a registration member, which is configured to mechanically interface with and reposition the UAV on the landing platform during a second stage of alignment, and a charging head that is repositionable in relation to the registration member from a normal position into a deflected position during a third stage of alignment to facilitate engagement of corresponding electrical contacts on the UAV and the charging head.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, to image stabilization systems for autonomous aerial vehicles. In some embodiments, a UAV including a central body, an image capture assembly that couples the image capture assembly to the central body. The image stabilization assembly is configured to provide structural protection and support around the image capture assembly while passively isolating the image capture assembly from vibrations and other motion of the central body while the UAV is in flight.

Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a reconfigurable landing platform including alignment members, which engage the UAV and are repositionable between extended and retracted positions, and a drive mechanism, which is connected (secured) to the alignment members to facilitate extension and retraction thereof. During retraction, the alignment members engage the UAV and generally align a power source on the UAV with a charging hub of the base station, which facilitates not only charging of the UAV but proper closure of the base station.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, to image stabilization systems for autonomous aerial vehicles. In some embodiments, a UAV including a central body, an image capture assembly that couples the image capture assembly to the central body. The image stabilization assembly is configured to provide structural protection and support around the image capture assembly while passively isolating the image capture assembly from vibrations and other motion of the central body while the UAV is in flight.

Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A landing platform for a base station that is configured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The landing platform includes: alignment members that are configured for engagement with the UAV; drive brackets that are connected to the alignment members; and a drive member that is connected to the drive brackets such that the drive brackets extend between and connect the alignment members and the drive member, whereby movement of the drive member causes corresponding movement of the drive brackets and the alignment members to thereby reposition the UAV on the landing platform.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a chassis and a gimbal module. The gimbal module includes at least one optical component that facilitates image capture, and is configured for removable connection to the chassis to facilitate repeated connection and disconnection of the gimbal module and interchangeability amongst a plurality of gimbal modules.

Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a body, a landing platform supported by the body and configured to support the UAV, and a roof assembly movably coupled to the base. The roof assembly includes a cover defining a cavity therein and one or more ears coupled to the cover and movably coupled to the body such that the roof assembly is movable between a closed position, in which the cover is configured to enclose the landing platform and the UAV supported thereon, and an open position, in which the cover is located at least partially below the landing platform with respect to an elevational direction such that the landing platform is unobstructed by the cover to facilitate takeoff and landing of the UAV. The roof assembly is rotatable through an angular range of motion that is defined by the one or more ears.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a chassis and a gimbal module. The gimbal module includes at least one optical component that facilitates image capture, and is configured for removable connection to the chassis to facilitate repeated connection and disconnection of the gimbal module and interchangeability amongst a plurality of gimbal modules.

Abstract: A method of docking an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a base station. The method includes landing the UAV on a landing platform of the base station; generally aligning the UAV with a charging hub of the base station; repositioning the UAV on the landing platform via engagement with the charging hub; and deflecting the charging hub to generally align electrical contacts on the UAV with corresponding electrical contacts on the charging hub.

Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: a body; a landing platform that is supported by the body and which is configured to receive the UAV; and a charging hub that is configured for connection to the UAV. The charging hub is repositionable between an extended position, in which the charging hub is exposed from the landing platform, and a retracted position, in which the charging hub is concealed by the landing platform to thereby increase available landing space for the UAV on the landing platform.

Abstract: A method of using a base station to charge an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. The method includes: docking the UAV with a cradle of the base station; retracting the cradle into an enclosure of the base station via a slide mechanism; and electrically connecting a power source of the UAV to a charging hub connected to the slide mechanism to thereby charge the power source.

Abstract: A charging hub for a base station that is configured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during docking. The charging hub includes a first bracket and a second bracket that is operatively connected to the first bracket such that the second bracket is movable in relation thereto along a vertical axis of movement to thereby reposition the charging hub from a retracted position into an extended position and facilitate electrical connection of the charging hub to the UAV.

Abstract: A reconfigurable landing platform for a base station that is configured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The landing platform includes alignment members, which are configured for engagement with the UAV, and a drive mechanism, which is connected to the alignment members to facilitate repositioning of the alignment members from an extended position into a retracted position to thereby reposition the UAV on the landing platform. The drive mechanism includes a drive member and pulley assemblies, which engage the drive member and are configured to vary a lateral tension and an axial tension therein.

Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A base station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes a base that includes a body defining a cavity therein and a landing platform supported by the body and configured to support the UAV. The base station also includes a roof assembly movably coupled to the base to move between a closed position, in which the roof assembly is configured to enclose the landing platform, and an open position, in which the roof assembly is located such that the landing platform is unobstructed by the roof assembly.

Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for a stabilization system configured, in some embodiments, for stabilizing image capture from an aerial vehicle (e.g., a UAV). According to some embodiments, the stabilization systems employs both active and passive stabilization means. A passive stabilization assembly includes a counter-balanced suspension system that includes an elongated arm that extends into and is coupled to the body of a vehicle. The counter-balanced suspension system passively stabilizes a mounted device such as an image capture device to counter motion of the UAV while in use. In some embodiment the counter-balanced suspension system passively stabilizes a mounted image capture assembly that includes active stabilization means (e.g., a motorized gimbal and/or electronic image stabilization). In some embodiments, the active and passive stabilization means operate together to effectively stabilize a mounted image capture device to counter a wide range of motion characteristics.