Abstract: Disclosed herein is are systems, devices, and methods for an autorotating aerial device which includes a housing member having disposed thereon an actuator and a controller configured to control the actuator. The device also includes a wing member coupled to the actuator, the wing member including a main wing portion and a flap portion adjustable with respect to the main wing portion. The controller is configured to control the actuator to switch the autorotating aerial device between a diving mode of operation and an autorotating mode of operation based on adjusting an angle of attack of the flap portion, the angle of attack being with respect to a lateral axis along the main wing portion.

Abstract: There is provided a mono-wing aerial device which includes a housing member having disposed thereon electronic components and a power source, including a controller configured to control a thrust unit; a wing member coupled to the housing member, the wing member configured to produce aerodynamic forces for autorotation of the aerial device, the wing member comprising a first edge portion proximal to the housing member and a second edge portion distal to the housing member, wherein the wing member is coupled to the housing member at the first edge portion; and the thrust unit coupled to the wing member at the second edge portion, wherein the thrust unit is configured to generate thrust in a direction substantially tangential to a rotational plane of the wing member. There is also provided a method of forming the mono-wing aerial device.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling laser scanning by a rotorcraft. The rotorcraft includes: a rotatable body frame configured to rotate during flight; a laser rangefinder mounted on the rotatable body frame and configured to perform laser scanning; and a magnetometer configured to measure magnetic field. The method includes: obtaining magnetic field measurement data from the magnetometer while the rotatable body frame is rotating during flight, the magnetic field measurement data including a sinusoidal signal; estimating a frequency of the sinusoidal signal; and controlling the laser rangefinder to perform laser scanning based on the estimated frequency of the sinusoidal signal. There is also provided a corresponding controller for controlling laser scanning by a rotorcraft, and a corresponding rotorcraft configured to perform laser scanning including the controller.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may include a frame. The aerial vehicle may also include a camera assembly attached to the frame, the camera assembly including a cascaded bi-directional linear actuator and a camera attached to the cascaded bi-directional linear actuator such that the camera is configured to be moved to different positions by the cascaded bi-directional linear actuator to capture a plurality of images of an object. The aerial vehicle may further include a processor in electrical connection to the camera such that the processor is configured to determine one or more dimensions of the object based on the plurality of images. The aerial vehicle may additionally include a flight system configured to move the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may also include an energy system in electrical connection to the camera assembly, the processor, and the flight system.

Abstract: An aircraft including: a pair of wings rotatably coupled to opposing lateral sides of the fuselage and being rotatable relative to each other; a pair of servo motors, each connected to a corresponding wing and configured to rotate the corresponding wing in two rotational directions; a pair of thrust motors, each of which mounted on a corresponding wing; and a flight controller connected to the servo motors and to the thrust motors, and configured to control each servo motor and each thrust motor, such that the aircraft can be selectively operated in a cruising mode, such that the pair of wings are in a non-permanent-rotation-state about a yawing axis which extends at least substantially through the center of gravity, and a monocopter mode, in which the pair of thrust motors provide thrust in opposite directions so that the pair of wings are in a permanent-rotation-state about the yawing axis.

Abstract: A method of real time magnetic localization comprising: providing an artificial neural network field model that is calibrated and optimized for a predetermined magnet; receiving signals from one or more magnetic sensors; and solving the location of the magnet using the model based on the signals.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a robot including: a spherical shell; a cart in the spherical shell, the cart including a plurality of wheels rotatable to move the cart along an inner surface of the spherical shell; a sensor coupled to the cart, the sensor configured to provide an inertial measurement of the cart; a motion encoder configured to measure an angular velocity of each wheel of the plurality of wheels; and a localizer configured to determine a location of the robot, based on the angular velocities of the plurality of wheels and the inertial measurement of the cart.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle includes: an airframe comprising a central member defining a longitudinal axis; a gimbal coupled to the central member; a camera mounted on the gimbal to face a direction at least substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; wherein the gimbal is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to spin the camera around the longitudinal axis; and a propulsion means configured to propel the aerial vehicle, wherein the propulsion means is offset from the camera along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and a system for registering real-time intra-operative image data of a body to a model of the body, the method comprising, segmenting a plurality of image data of the body obtained using a pre-operative imaging device; constructing the model of the body from the segmented plurality of image data; identifying one or more landmark features on the model of the body; acquiring the real-time intra-operative image data of the body using an intra-operative imaging device; and registering the real-time intra-operative image data of the body to the model of the body by matching one or more landmark features labelled on the real-time intra-operative image data to one or more corresponding landmark features on the model of the body, wherein the one or more landmark features comprises a superior and an inferior pole of the body.

Abstract: An on-site device for detecting presence of a liquid from a site and a method for detecting presence of a liquid from a site using the on-site device, the device comprising a moisture detector arranged to detect the presence of the liquid based on one or more electrical characteristics of the liquid; a first optical detector assembly coupled to the moisture detector, the first optical detector assembly being configured to be activated upon detection of the presence of the liquid by the moisture detector; and wherein upon activation, the first optical detector assembly is configured to detect a substance in the liquid based on one or more optical characteristics of the substance.

Abstract: An aircraft including: a pair of wings rotatably coupled to opposing lateral sides of the fuselage and being rotatable relative to each other; a pair of servo motors, each connected to a corresponding wing and configured to rotate the corresponding wing in two rotational directions; a pair of thrust motors, each of which mounted on a corresponding wing; and a flight controller connected to the servo motors and to the thrust motors, and configured to control each servo motor and each thrust motor, such that the aircraft can be selectively operated in a cruising mode, such that the pair of wings are in a non-permanent-rotation-state about a yawing axis which extends at least substantially through the center of gravity, and a monocopter mode, in which the pair of thrust motors provide thrust in opposite directions so that the pair of wings are in a permanent-rotation-state about the yawing axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tracking a device comprising a magnet as the device is inserted through a subject. The apparatus is wearable by the subject and comprises a unit configured to conform to the subject. The apparatus further comprises magnetic sensors arranged with the unit. In use, the magnetic sensors detect magnetic fields of the magnet and the detected magnetic fields are processed to determine a position of the magnet. This allows tracking of the device as the device is inserted through the subject.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a robot including: a spherical shell; a cart in the spherical shell, the cart including a plurality of wheels rotatable to move the cart along an inner surface of the spherical shell; a sensor coupled to the cart, the sensor configured to provide an inertial measurement of the cart; a motion encoder configured to measure an angular velocity of each wheel of the plurality of wheels; and a localizer configured to determine a location of the robot, based on the angular velocities of the plurality of wheels and the inertial measurement of the cart.

Abstract: There is provided a method of power monitoring comprising: determining the price for electricity for a user; determining the power consumption of an electrical appliance within the user's premises; and providing an output signal for the appliance to indicate to the user if the current operational mode of the appliance is desirable or undesirable to the user based on at least one of: the electricity price and the power consumption. An apparatus for power monitoring and a base station used in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tracking a device comprising a magnet as the device is inserted through a subject. The apparatus is wearable by the subject and comprises a unit configured to conform to the subject. The apparatus further comprises magnetic sensors arranged with the unit. In use, the magnetic sensors detect magnetic fields of the magnet and the detected magnetic fields are processed to determine a position of the magnet. This allows tracking of the device as the device is inserted through the subject.

Abstract: A method of real time magnetic localization comprising: providing an artificial neural network field model that is calibrated and optimized for a predetermined magnet; receiving signals from one or more magnetic sensors; and solving the location of the magnet using the model based on the signals.

Abstract: This document relates to live bird shackle transfer. In one embodiment, a live bird transfer system includes a perch conveyor, configured to transport a live bird on a perch mechanism from a distal end to a proximal end of the perch conveyor, and a shackle line, including a pallet assembly including a trolley supporting a pallet and a star-wheel mechanism configured to position the trolley such that the pallet is aligned with the proximal end of the perch conveyor during transfer of the live bird from the perch mechanism to the pallet. In another embodiment, a live bird transfer system includes a perch conveyor configured to transport a live bird from a distal end to a proximal end of the perch conveyor; a body-grasper at the proximal end of the perch conveyor; and virtual exit lighting positioned at the proximal end of the perch conveyor and above the body-grasper.