An airship and method of providing thrust to an airship are shown. Examples include a number of turbine thrusters coupled to a number of electric motor/generators that supplement thrust from the turbine thrusters. Systems and methods are described that include surveying an agricultural area, and spraying an amount of an agricultural supply on only selected portion of the agricultural area.

An airship and method of providing thrust to an airship are shown. Examples include a number of turbine thrusters coupled to a number of electric motor/generators that supplement thrust from the turbine thrusters. Systems and methods are described that include surveying an agricultural area, and spraying an amount of an agricultural supply on only selected portion of the agricultural area.

An identification system and method are provided for aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems for autonomous ground movement that enables airport ground personnel and others outside the aircraft to safely and easily identify the aircraft moving on ground surfaces at an airport as equipped with a pilot-controlled electric taxi system and to distinguish these aircraft from aircraft not moved by electric taxi systems. The identification system may be mounted with nose or main landing gear drive wheels supporting the electric taxi system. The identification system includes an identifying lighting system with lighting elements of a selected number, shape, color, or arrangement positioned on at least a visible face of one or more landing gear wheels. Automatic or manual controls may actuate the identification system to identify electric taxi system-equipped aircraft when the aircraft are moved with the electric taxi system or are stopped.

A mechanically secure docking platform for unmanned VTOL aircraft (“drone”) or other automated vehicle, acting as an automated battery recharging system for drones or a battery quick change system for drones. The system also is capable of enabling an automated data logistics system for drones, an autonomous guidance system for landing and docking for drones, and/or an autonomous guidance system for undocking and takeoff for drones.

A method for ensuring the operation and integrity of a three-dimensional integrated logistical system that includes a plurality of drones and a plurality of service stations; each of the plurality of drones having a plurality of environmental sensors and a plurality of internal sensors. The plurality of drones is routed to a destination location through a fleet management software that monitors the plurality of drones and the plurality of service stations. The fleet management software is able to detect operational issues amongst the plurality of drones and if necessary reroute the plurality of drones to the plurality of service stations in order to resolve said operational issues. A robotic service unit in each of the plurality of service stations is able to autonomously service the plurality of drones in addition to equipping the plurality of drones with a designated payload.

A method for ensuring the operation and integrity of a three-dimensional integrated logistical system that includes a plurality of drones and a plurality of service stations; each of the plurality of drones having a plurality of environmental sensors and a plurality of internal sensors. The plurality of drones is routed to a destination location through a fleet management software that monitors the plurality of drones and the plurality of service stations. The fleet management software is able to detect operational issues amongst the plurality of drones and if necessary reroute the plurality of drones to the plurality of service stations in order to resolve said operational issues. A robotic service unit in each of the plurality of service stations is able to autonomously service the plurality of drones in addition to equipping the plurality of drones with a designated payload.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for security camera drone communication coupling to control and computing station. In some implementations, a first drone and a second drone are configured to monitor a property. A base station is configured to communicate with the first drone and the second drone. The first drone is configured to determine the first drone is unable to communicate with the base station and able to communicate with the second drone. Based on determining the first drone is unable to communicate with the base station and able to communicate with the second drone, the first drone is configured to determine the first drone is able to communicate with the second drone, transmit, to the second drone, a data packet and instructions to transmit the data packet to the base station.

The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for inserting and removing a battery assembly from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and/or a UAV ground station (UAVGS). For example, systems and methods described herein enable convenient installation of a battery assembly within a UAV. The battery assembly and UAV further include features that facilitate secure connection of the battery assembly within the UAV and which prevents wear due to frequent installation and removal of the battery assembly within a receiving slot of the UAV. In one or more embodiments, the battery assembly includes a housing and one or more connectors having one or more features that cause the battery assembly to self-align when the battery assembly is inserted within the receiving slot of the UAV.

This document describes a system and method through which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be docked, with a device that can secure the UAVs, and information can be transmitted to and from such UAVs. The UAVs are secured through the use of magnetic fields. The system also includes a means for transmitting information between the docking system itself, the UAV(s) and/or between the docking system and a command center, which may be a notable distance from the docking system, or among the docking system, the UAV(s) and the command center.

Flight based infrared imaging systems and related techniques, and in particular unmanned aerial system (UAS) based systems, are provided for aiding in operation and/or piloting of a mobile structure. Such systems and techniques may include determining environmental conditions around the mobile structure with the UAS detecting the presence of objects and/or persons around the mobile structure and/or determining the presence of other structures around the mobile structure. Instructions for the operation of such mobile structures may then be accordingly determined responsive to such data.