A method, apparatus, and system provide for three-dimensional (3D) image reconstructing. Two or more cameras are mounted to one or more vehicles. The cameras are capable of moving with respect to each other. A baseline distance between each of the cameras is determined. A two-dimensional (2D) image is simultaneously acquired from each of the cameras. The acquiring is time synchronized and the vehicles are moving during the acquiring. The 2D images from the two or more cameras are matched. A delta pose between the cameras is reconstructed based on the matching and baseline distance. Based on the delta pose, a 3D image is instantaneously constructed.

Launch-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A computer-implemented method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in a representative embodiment includes detecting at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight. Based at least in part on the at least the one detected parameter, the method can further include establishing a flight path for the UAV, and directing the UAV to fly the flight path.

A cover for a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or a tablet computer, includes an aerial device provided with a camera, which is removably housed within a cavity made in said cover. The aerial device can be recharged by one or more batteries contained in the cover, which can also supply the mobile device itself.

A camera gimbal is disclosed. The disclosed camera gimbal comprises: a pitching housing, in which a lens part is disposed, rotating around a first axis; a yawing housing rotating around a second axis vertical to the first axis, and to which the pitching housing is coupled so as to be rotatable around the second axis; and a rolling housing rotating around a third axis vertical to the first and second axes, and to which the yawing housing is coupled so as to be rotatable around the third axis, wherein the first and second axes can cross at a right angle, the second and third axes can cross at a right angle, the first and third axes can be spaced from each other in a state in which the first and third axes can cross at a right angle, and the first and third axes can be arranged on the same plane. In the present invention, various examples are possible.

Systems, devices, and methods for impacting, by a small unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV), a net having at least three sides; and converting the kinetic energy of the SUAV into at least one of: elastic potential energy of one or more tensioned elastic cords connected to at least one corner of the net, gravitational potential energy of a frame member connected to at least one corner of the net, rotational kinetic energy of the frame member connected to at least one corner of the net, and elastic potential energy of the frame member connected to at least one corner of the net.

The present application discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle. The umanned aerial vehicle includes a support having a plurality of receiving slots; a plurality of arms attached to the support and a plurality of propellers respectively attached to the plurality of arms. Each of the plurality of receiving slots is configured to receive one of the plurality of arms and one of the plurality of propellers attached to the one of the plurality of arms.

A multi-mode mobility micro air vehicle (MAV) accomplishes ground locomotion by hopping on a retractable leg. The hopping is translated into forward locomotion when aided by the forward thrust of propellers, and the orientation of locomotion is directed by aerodynamic controls like ailerons, rudders, stabilators, or plasma actuators. The foot of the leg is convexly curved so as to produce hopping that is statically and passively dynamically stable. The MAV is also equipped for vertical takeoff so that it may conduct multiple idling missions in sequence and may return home for recovery and reuse. Structural integration of power storage and photovoltaic generation systems into the aerodynamic surface of the MAV lightens the weight of the MAV while also providing a strong structure and permitting the MAV to harvest its own energy. The MAV may autonomously conduct surveillance missions and/or serve as a flying platform for self-healing sensor or communications networks, especially when multiple MAVs are used in concert.

To make it possible to control an image capturing position and its direction in water easily and flexibly through the use of a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a plurality of rotors. This is solved by an underwater image capturing apparatus including a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a plurality of rotors, a winding machine capable of delivering and winding a string-like member, and an underwater camera capable of capturing images in water, wherein the winding machine is fixed to the miniature unmanned aerial vehicle and the string-like member is connected to the underwater camera.

A layered architecture for customer payload systems is disclosed to provide a scalable, reconfigurable integration platform targeted at multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and remove both UAV specific and payload equipment specific characteristics that increase complexity during integration. The layered architecture is a modular design architecture that is split by function. Standard interfaces are implemented between functional layers to increase reconfiguration possibilities and to allow reuse of existing components and layers without modification to the payload or UAV. The standard interfaces also promote easy connection and disconnection from other layer components. Additionally, once the layered architecture is implemented, technological or functional requirements changes can be isolated to one specific component layer, not the entire payload stack. As a result, payload designs based on the layered architecture reduces design time and cost, and allows for easier integration, operation, upgrades, maintenance, and repair.

To make it possible to control an image capturing position and its direction in water easily and flexibly through the use of a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a plurality of rotors. This is solved by an underwater image capturing apparatus including a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a plurality of rotors, a winding machine capable of delivering and winding a string-like member, and an underwater camera capable of capturing images in water, wherein the winding machine is fixed to the miniature unmanned aerial vehicle and the string-like member is connected to the underwater camera.