A system for stabilizing a payload, comprising: a platform mount having a first end adapted to be physically connected to a supporting platform and a second end; a payload mount adapted to be physically connected to a payload, and is physically and rotatably connected via at least one pivot axis to the second end of the platform mount; at least one sensor adapted for measuring angular orientation of the payload along the at least one pivot axis; at least one propulsion device connected to the payload mount, and angled to change an angular position of the payload mount along the at least one pivot axis; and a stabilizing controller adapted for receiving outputs of the at least one sensor, calculating instructions for the at least one propulsion device, and forwarding the instructions to the at least one propulsion device.

A system for stabilizing a payload, comprising: a platform mount having a first end adapted to be physically connected to a supporting platform and a second end; a payload mount adapted to be physically connected to a payload, and is physically and rotatably connected via at least one pivot axis to the second end of the platform mount; at least one sensor adapted for measuring angular orientation of the payload along the at least one pivot axis; at least one propulsion device connected to the payload mount, and angled to change an angular position of the payload mount along the at least one pivot axis; and a stabilizing controller adapted for receiving outputs of the at least one sensor, calculating instructions for the at least one propulsion device, and forwarding the instructions to the at least one propulsion device.

In an example embodiment, a drone-based system comprises: a base station, wherein the base station is configured to provide drone control and power, a drone; a tether connecting the base station to the drone and configured to provide the drone with the power from the base station; and a lighting system, operably attached to the drone via the tether, configured to generate illumination of a ground area, wherein the illumination of the ground area is controllable by modifying least one of an intensity of the illumination and a height of the drone above the ground area.

A collapsible flying device is provided having a housing including first and second housing sections forming an enclosure, and a motorized assembly that includes a drive motor and a drive shaft driven by the drive motor. The drive shaft matingly receives the first housing section and is coupled to the second housing section, wherein operation of the drive motor drives the drive shaft to move the first housing section from a closed position adjacent the second housing section to an open position spaced from the second housing section. A rotor hub is rotatingly driven by the drive motor. At least two rotor blades are coupled thereto and positioned within the enclosure in a collapsed position when the first housing section is in the closed position, and extend beyond the enclosure in an expanded position when the first housing section is in the open position.

A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to transition from a terminal homing mode to a target search mode, responsive to an uplink signal and/or an autonomous determination of scene change.

A surveillance system includes an unmanned flying object information management part configured to store information on each of a plurality of unmanned flying objects including a predetermined flying pattern of each of the unmanned flying objects, each of the unmanned flying objects including a surveillance apparatus and being configured to move in the predetermined flying pattern; an unmanned flying object selection part configured to select at least one of the unmanned flying objects to which the surveillance of a surveillance target is requested, based on a predetermined switching condition and information received from each of the unmanned flying objects; and a surveillance instruction part configured to instruct the selected unmanned flying object(s) to surveil the surveillance target by transmitting identification information of the surveillance target to the selected unmanned flying object(s).

Obstruction detection and management systems and methods include, in an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system including one or more servers communicatively coupled to a plurality of passenger drones via one or more wireless networks, receiving passenger drone data from a plurality of passenger drones, wherein the passenger drone data comprises operational data for the plurality of passenger drones and obstruction data from one or more passenger drones; updating an obstruction database based on the obstruction data, wherein the obstruction database comprises entries of obstructions with their height, size, location, and a permanency flag comprising either a temporary obstruction or a permanent obstruction; monitoring a flight plan for the plurality of passenger drones based on the operational data; and transmitting obstruction instructions to the plurality of passenger drones based on analyzing the obstruction database with their flight plan.

This disclosure is generally directed to an Unmanned Aerial Device (UAV) that uses a removable computing device for command and control. The UAV may include an airframe with rotors and an adjustable cradle to attach a computing device. The computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet, MP3 player, or the like, may provide the necessary avionics and computing equipment to control the UAV autonomously. For example, the adjustable cradle may be extended to fit a tablet or other large computing device, or retracted to fit a smart phone or other small computing device. Thus, the adjustable cradle may provide for the attachment and use of a plurality of different computing devices in conjunction with a single airframe. Additionally the UAV may comprise adjustable arms to assist in balancing the load of the different computing devices and/or additional equipment attached to the airframe.

Disclosed is an aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle may include a removable battery. Various embodiments of removable battery assemblies include a pull-bar battery assembly, a latch battery assembly, and a lever battery assembly. The aerial vehicle may also include a propeller locking mechanism to which propellers may be removably coupled. The propeller locking mechanism may obviate the need for tools for coupling or decoupling propellers to the aerial vehicle. Vents in the arm of the aerial vehicle may provide an air pathway, providing convective cooling for the electronics aerial vehicle.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.