According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for rescuing a malfunctioning drone is provided. The present invention may include responsive to detecting a total failure in a malfunctioning drone comprising a drone fleet, operating one or more rescue drones to physically or virtually attach to the malfunctioning drone; reconfiguring sub-missions comprising a mission assigned to the drone fleet based on an absence of the malfunctioning drone and the one or more rescue drones; and transporting, by the one or more rescue drones, the malfunctioning drone to a safe landing location.

According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product for rescuing a malfunctioning drone is provided. The present invention may include responsive to detecting a total failure in a malfunctioning drone comprising a drone fleet, operating one or more rescue drones to physically or virtually attach to the malfunctioning drone; reconfiguring sub-missions comprising a mission assigned to the drone fleet based on an absence of the malfunctioning drone and the one or more rescue drones; and transporting, by the one or more rescue drones, the malfunctioning drone to a safe landing location.

A flight control system, including a flight control computer (FCC) configured for providing a first and second flight function, and sending, to effectors of an aircraft, first command signals based on the first and second flight functions, and a second computer configured for providing one or more autonomy functions associated with operation of the aircraft, and that are different from the first and second flight functions, monitoring operation of the FCC, determining whether the FCC has failed, and providing a fail-safe mode for at least the first flight function in response to determining that the FCC has failed. Providing the fail-safe mode includes providing one or more critical flight functions that includes the first flight function, and sending, to the effectors, second command signals that replace a first command signal associated with the first flight function and that are based on the critical flight functions.

A flight control system, including a flight control computer (FCC) configured for providing a first and second flight function, and sending, to effectors of an aircraft, first command signals based on the first and second flight functions, and a second computer configured for providing one or more autonomy functions associated with operation of the aircraft, and that are different from the first and second flight functions, monitoring operation of the FCC, determining whether the FCC has failed, and providing a fail-safe mode for at least the first flight function in response to determining that the FCC has failed. Providing the fail-safe mode includes providing one or more critical flight functions that includes the first flight function, and sending, to the effectors, second command signals that replace a first command signal associated with the first flight function and that are based on the critical flight functions.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of rotors, a plurality of electric motors each configured to drive a respective one of the plurality of rotors, a power source, and a controller configured or programmed to control supply of first electric power from the power source to the plurality of electric motors and supply of second electric power from the power source to an external implement, and control operation of the plurality of electric motors. Upon detecting an abnormality in equipment included in the unmanned aerial vehicle, the controller is configured or programmed to stop the supply of the second electric power to the implement and maintain the supply of the first electric power to the plurality of electric motors to execute flight using the plurality of rotors.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of electric motors each configured to rotate a respective one of a plurality of rotors, a plurality of motor drive circuits each configured to drive a respective one of the plurality of electric motors, and a controller configured or programmed to control operation of the plurality of motor drive circuits. The controller is configured or programmed to change the operation of the plurality of motor drive circuits from a flight state of the unmanned aerial vehicle to a state where flight is not possible in response to a stop signal.

A method includes causing an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to navigate through a trajectory. The method also includes receiving first motor data representing operation of a first motor during navigation through the trajectory and receiving second motor data representing operation of a second motor during navigation through the trajectory. The method further includes comparing the first motor data with the second motor data. The method also includes, based on the comparison of the first motor data and the second motor data, determining a motor failure state. The method additionally includes causing the UAV to navigate based on the motor failure state.

Systems and methods are provided for landing site selection and flight path planning for an aircraft using soaring weather conditions. The methods may include, with one or more processors of a controller onboard the aircraft: receiving data indicative of terrain, airports, airspace, aerodynamics of the aircraft, real-time weather, and real-time status of the aircraft, determining a gliding range of the aircraft based at least in part on soaring weather conditions that include environmental regions of thermal draft capable of producing lift sufficient to extend the gliding range of the aircraft, determining a landing site for the aircraft based on the gliding range of the aircraft, and determining a flight path of the aircraft that uses the soaring weather conditions to extend the gliding range of the aircraft and land at the landing site.

A method (100) for processing vehicle and/or robot pose information in an at least partially automated vehicle (50), a driving assistance system (60) of the vehicle (50), and/or a robot (70), comprising the steps of: determining (110), based at least in part on measurement data (1) gathered by at least one sensor that is carried by the vehicle (50) and/or robot (70), a pose (2) of the vehicle (50) and/or robot (70), as well as maximum expected errors (2a) of at least the pose (2); querying (120), based at least in part on the position comprised in the determined pose (2), an alert limit service (3) for position-dependent, and optionally also orientation-dependent, maximum permissible errors (4); determining (130) whether the maximum expected errors (2a) are within the maximum permissible errors (4); and if the maximum expected errors (2a) exceed the maximum permissible errors (4), initiating (160) at least one remedial action.

A method (100) for processing vehicle and/or robot pose information in an at least partially automated vehicle (50), a driving assistance system (60) of the vehicle (50), and/or a robot (70), comprising the steps of: determining (110), based at least in part on measurement data (1) gathered by at least one sensor that is carried by the vehicle (50) and/or robot (70), a pose (2) of the vehicle (50) and/or robot (70), as well as maximum expected errors (2a) of at least the pose (2); querying (120), based at least in part on the position comprised in the determined pose (2), an alert limit service (3) for position-dependent, and optionally also orientation-dependent, maximum permissible errors (4); determining (130) whether the maximum expected errors (2a) are within the maximum permissible errors (4); and if the maximum expected errors (2a) exceed the maximum permissible errors (4), initiating (160) at least one remedial action.