Abstract: Methods and apparatus to facilitate autonomous navigation of robotic devices. An example autonomous robot includes a region model analyzer to: analyze a first image of an environment based on a first neural network model, the first image captured by an image sensor of the robot when the robot is in a first region of the environment; and analyze a second image of the environment based on a second neural network model, the second image captured by the image sensor when the robot is in a second region of the environment, the second neural network associated with the second region. The example robot further includes a movement controller to: autonomously control movement of the robot within the first region toward the second region based on the analysis of the first image; and autonomously control movement of the robot within the second region based on the analysis of the second image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically routing robots based on exploratory on-board mapping are disclosed. A control system of a robot includes an image manager to command a depth camera to capture depth images of an environment. The depth camera has a field of view. The control system further includes a map generator to generate a map of the environment based on the depth images. The map includes a representation of unoccupied space within the environment, and a path extending through the unoccupied space from a reference location of the robot to a target location of the robot. The control system further includes a field of view evaluator to determine whether the field of view associated with the reference location satisfies a threshold. The control system further includes a route generator to generate, in response to the field of view associated with the reference location satisfying the threshold, a route to be followed by the robot within the environment.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for drone path planning are described herein. A system for drone path planning for a drone, the system to perform the operations: storing a current location of the drone as a current waypoint in a set of waypoints, the set of waypoints to include the current waypoint and a previous waypoint; detecting a current set of frontiers from the current location; storing the current set of frontiers in a list of active goals, the current set of frontiers associated with the current location; determining whether a target is discovered in the current set of frontiers; exploring the current set of frontiers to attempt to find the target; and exploring a previous set of frontiers from the active list of goals, when exploring the current set of frontiers does not discover the target, the previous set of frontiers associated with the previous waypoint.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles and related methods and systems are disclosed. An example unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: a body and a propulsion source to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle during flight; and a display carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle to display a message to coordinate traffic, the display actuatable between a deployed position to enable the message to be conveyed and a stowed position in which aerodynamics of the unmanned aerial vehicle are enhanced.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for audio noise reduction from a drone are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to gather acoustic data and a second sensor to gather rotational motion data of a rotor. The example apparatus also includes an analyzer to match the rotational motion data to a filter and filter the acoustic data using the filter. The analyzer also is to generate an audio signal based on the filtered acoustic data.

Abstract: Systems and methods may include a lift drone and a carrier drone to convey a payload. The lift drone may vertically lift the payload, alone or with the carrier drone, to a transfer location. The carrier drone may receive control of the payload at the transfer location, such as by receiving physical transfer of the payload, taking over conveyance of the payload from the lift drone, or the like. The lift drone may remain coupled with the payload or the carrier drone or may decouple after transfer.

Abstract: Transformable unmanned vehicles and related methods are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a body having, a first cap, a second cap spaced from the first cap, and a plurality of segments radially spaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The segments are movable relative to the first cap and the second cap. The vehicle includes a payload supported by the first cap. An actuation system moves the segments relative to the first cap and the second cap to transform the body between a first configuration and a second configuration different than the first configuration.

Abstract: Hybrid unmanned vehicles are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a housing and a rollerball rotatably coupled to the housing and a propulsion system supported by the housing. The propulsion system is to generate lift to enable the vehicle to navigate in a first mode of operation. The vehicle includes a rollerball rotatably coupled to the housing. The rollerball to enable the housing to navigate in a second mode of operation different than the first mode of operation. The propulsion system is to generate a drive force to enable the vehicle to navigate in the second mode of operation via the rollerball.

Abstract: Systems and methods include receiving, values of one or more first external time variables from a first external node and values of one or more second external time variables from a second external node. The values of one or more local time variables of the local node are adjusted based at least upon the values of the one or more first external time variables and the values of the one or more second external time variables.

Abstract: An apparatus of an autonomous device comprises one or more state estimators to estimate one or more states of the autonomous device, wherein the one or more state estimators are to generate one or more derivatives of translational measurements, orientation measurements, reference translational values, and reference orientation values, and one or more controllers to receive an output from the one or more state estimators to provide control signals to control the autonomous device. The one or more state estimators include a hardware differentiator to generate the one or more derivatives.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein including a monitoring system for a building including an in-wall guide for a drone, the in-wall guide extending behind at least one wall from a first location to a second location and a power delivery circuit in, or adjacent, the in-wall guide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting rogue vehicles within a plurality of vehicles connected via a vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) are provided. Sensors on each VANET vehicle provide host vehicle data and data associated with other nearby vehicles. Each VANET vehicle multicasts information that includes location, velocity, and preferred future travel path to the other VANET vehicles. Using data from sensors and data received from other VANET vehicles the host vehicle generates a dynamic set of safe vehicle operating behaviors. Nearby vehicles that do not comply with the determined safe vehicle operating behaviors or perform illegal/unsafe acts are identified as rogue vehicles. Data associated with identified rogue vehicles is transmitted to all VANET vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for drone collision avoidance that includes extracting first feature information from an image. The image is captured from a first camera oriented in a direction. Second feature information is received from an external source. The second feature information is extracted from a second image of the environment captured by a second camera oriented in the direction. The first feature information and the second feature information are matched. A second local frame of reference of the second feature information is transformed to a first local frame of reference of the first feature information to determine a location of the external source. If a collision with the external source will occur is determined based on the location of the external source and a current flight trajectory.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles and related methods and systems are disclosed. An example unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: a body and a propulsion source to propel the unmanned aerial vehicle during flight; and a display carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle to display a message to coordinate traffic, the display actuatable between a deployed position to enable the message to be conveyed and a stowed position in which aerodynamics of the unmanned aerial vehicle are enhanced.

Abstract: System and techniques for drone obstacle avoidance using real-time wind estimation are described herein. A wind metric is measures at a first drone and communicated to a second drone. In response to receiving the wind metric, a flight plan of the second drone is modified based on the wind metric.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drone collision avoidance. Processing circuitry of a drone extracts information from an encoded image captured by a detection device with a field view overlapping the encoded image. Based on the extracted information a determination is made whether a collision will occur on the flight trajectory of the drone with an external source. The flight trajectory of the drone is then altered to avoid a collision.

Abstract: In one example, notice of a priority vehicle is obtained. A first protective field is generated around a current vehicle and a second protective field is generated around the priority vehicle. A priority lane is created by moving the first protective field of the current vehicle away from the second protective field of the priority vehicle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for audio noise reduction from a drone are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to gather acoustic data and a second sensor to gather rotational motion data of a rotor. The example apparatus also includes an analyzer to match the rotational motion data to a filter and filter the acoustic data using the filter. The analyzer also is to generate an audio signal based on the filtered acoustic data.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles and related methods and systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to determine whether a first location of an unmanned vehicle and a second location of a virtual event is within a threshold distance; and a game experience controller to: control the unmanned vehicle based on a first command associated with a non-augmented state of the unmanned vehicle in response to the first location of the unmanned vehicle and the second location of the virtual event being outside of the threshold distance; and in response to the first location of the unmanned vehicle and the second location of the virtual event being within the threshold distance, control the unmanned vehicle based on a second command associated with an augmented state of the unmanned vehicle to simulate the unmanned vehicle being affected by the virtual event.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement nonlinear control of vehicles moved using multiple motors, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a logic circuit configured to calculate virtual position control variables for a vehicle moved using multiple motors. The virtual position control variables calculated based on an application of a control law to position information of the vehicle. The control law is derived from a nonlinear model of movement of the vehicle. The logic circuit is configured further to calculate control inputs based on the virtual position control variables. The control inputs are to control the motors to navigate the vehicle along a designated path of movement.