A method of inspection or maintenance of a curved ferromagnetic surface using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a releasable crawler is provided. The method includes: flying the UAV from an initial position to a pre-perching position in a vicinity of the ferromagnetic surface; autonomously perching the UAV on the ferromagnetic surface; maintaining magnetic attachment of the perched UAV to the ferromagnetic surface; releasing the crawler from the magnetically attached UAV onto the ferromagnetic surface; moving the crawler over the curved ferromagnetic surface while maintaining magnetic attachment of the released crawler to the ferromagnetic surface; inspecting or maintaining the ferromagnetic surface using the magnetically attached crawler; and re-docking the released crawler with the perched UAV.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for drone vehicle integration and controls. A vehicle device for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may receive an input indicating a request to deploy the UAV from a vehicle. The vehicle device may determine that one or more deployment conditions are satisfied. The vehicle device may cause deployment of the UAV. The vehicle device may determine a control command for the UAV and a vehicle instruction associated with operating the UAV. The vehicle device may determine that the vehicle instruction has been satisfied, and may send the control command once the vehicle instruction is satisfied.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to land, take off, and magnetically perch on a ferromagnetic cylindrical surface is provided. The UAV includes a body and articulated magnetic legs configured to land and magnetically perch the UAV on the cylindrical surface. Each magnetic leg has a fixed portion coupled to the body and a pivoting portion pivotably coupled to the fixed portion at a pivot axis. The pivoting portion includes a switchable magnet and a single articulation joint that provides the pivoting portion with a single degree of freedom about the pivot axis to passively orient the pivoting portion inward and tangent to the cylindrical surface in response to the pivoting portion contacting the cylindrical surface during the landing, and to passively maintain the inward orientation of the pivoting portion during the takeoff.

A station recognition and a landing method are disclosed. More specifically, an unmanned aerial robot includes a camera sensor configured to capture a first pattern that is marked on a station cover and is used for a station identification and a second pattern that is marked inside a station and is used for a precision landing; a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a radio signal; and a processor functionally connected to the camera sensor and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to determine a landing station for landing based on the first pattern captured by the camera sensor, control the transceiver to transmit a radio signal that indicates the landing station to open the station cover, and perform the precision landing at the landing station based on the second pattern of the landing station.

Provided herein are systems and methods for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to skid and roll along an environmental surface. A rollable UAV includes an airframe assembly, a propulsion system, and a logic device configured to communicate with the propulsion system. The airframe assembly includes a cylindrical rolling guard configured to allow the UAV to roll along an environmental surface in contact with the cylindrical rolling guard. The logic device is configured to determine a rolling orientation for the UAV corresponding to the environmental surface, maneuver the UAV to place the cylindrical rolling guard of the airframe assembly in contact with the environmental surface, and roll the airframe assembly of the UAV along the environmental surface at approximately the determined rolling orientation while the cylindrical rolling guard is in contact with the environmental surface.

A payload loading system is disclosed. The payload loading system includes a UAV and a loading structure. A retractable tether is coupled to a payload coupling apparatus at a distal end and the UAV at a proximate end. A payload is loaded to the UAV by coupling the payload to the payload coupling apparatus. The loading structure of the payload loading system includes a landing platform and a tether guide. The tether guide is coupled to the landing platform and directs the tether as the UAV approaches and travels across at least a portion of the landing platform such that the payload coupling apparatus arrives at a target location. The payload is loaded to the payload coupling apparatus while the payload coupling apparatus is within the target location.

A microwave-based radio system for realising a precise landing approach (MLS), characterised in that an azimuth antenna transmitter and/or an elevation signal transmitter and/or a DME transmitter, and preferably all three said transmitters, are placed aboard an unmanned aerial vehicle, and in particular on a drone. The object of the disclosure is also a method for realising a precise landing approach using such a system.

A method, system, and device for planning a path for a forced landing of an aircraft based on image recognition are provided. The method includes: calculating an endurance distance of an aircraft based on sensor data and meteorological information; obtaining an alternative landing area by a satellite image containing contour information and a terrain image recognition model; obtaining a current satellite image of the alternative landing area and determining a landing area; and selecting a landing site by a landing site decision model and generating a path for a forced landing, such that the aircraft completes a forced landing task according to the path for the forced landing. The method, system, and device can automatically recognize image information, select a best landing site, and generate a path for a forced landing to assist a pilot in performing a forced landing task.

A system comprises a drone having autonomous drive capability and an assist vehicle (AV) for transporting the drone in an assisted drive mode in which the drone is held at, and transported by, the assist vehicle. Control hardware and software are programmed to determine drone travel over a route having a first route section in which the drone travels autonomously and a second route section in which the drone travels in the assisted drive mode.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) a fixed frame and a rotating arm pivotably coupled to the fixed frame at a central axis. The fixed frame includes peripheral propellers and corresponding motors for flying the UAV, and a central electronics enclosure for housing electronics used to control the UAV. The rotating arm is between the propellers and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed frame about the central axis. The rotating arm includes magnetic feet at a first end of the rotating arm and configured to perch and magnetically attach the UAV to a ferromagnetic surface, a docking station at the first end and configured to release and dock a releasable crawler, and a battery at a second end of the rotating arm opposite the first end and configured to supply power to the motors and the housed electronics, and to counterbalance the first end about the central axis.