Abstract: Aspects of embodiments to systems and methods for navigating a mobile platform using an imaging device on the platform, from a point of origin towards a target located in a scene, and without requiring a Global Navigation Satellite system (GNSS), by employing the following steps: acquiring, by the imaging device, an image of the scene comprising the target; determining, based on analysis of the image, a direction vector pointing from the mobile platform to the target; advancing the mobile platform in accordance with the direction vector to a new position; and generating, by a distance sensing device, an output as a result of attempting to determine, with the distance sensing device, a distance between the mobile platform and the target. The mobile platform advanced towards the target until the output produced by the distance sensing device is descriptive of a distance which meets a low-distance criterion.

Abstract: A drone control system for controlling a drone which includes an onboard-flight-system previously configured to receive navigational-data in a format compliant with a standard navigational data transmission protocol. The system includes a remote-sensor and an interface. The remote sensor is located remotely from the drone and determines the position of the drone relative to the remote-sensor. The interface, coupled with the remote-sensor, produces a pseudo GPS signal indicating the position of the drone and to provide the pseudo GPS signal to an onboard-flight-system of the drone. The format of the pseudo GPS signal is fully compliant with the standard navigational data transmission protocol employed by the onboard-flight-system. The onboard-flight-system is receives inertial tracking data from an onboard inertial-measuring-unit and the pseudo GPS signal, and tracks the position of the drone by merging the inertial tracking data and the pseudo GPS signal and navigates the drone accordingly.

Abstract: A drone control system for controlling a drone which includes an onboard-flight-system previously configured to receive navigational-data in a format compliant with a standard navigational data transmission protocol. The system includes a remote-sensor and an interface. The remote sensor is located remotely from the drone and determines the position of the drone relative to the remote-sensor. The interface, coupled with the remote-sensor, produces a pseudo GPS signal indicating the position of the drone and to provide the pseudo GPS signal to an onboard-flight-system of the drone. The format of the pseudo GPS signal is fully compliant with the standard navigational data transmission protocol employed by the onboard-flight-system. The onboard-flight-system is receives inertial tracking data from an onboard inertial-measuring-unit and the pseudo GPS signal, and tracks the position of the drone by merging the inertial tracking data and the pseudo GPS signal and navigates the drone accordingly.