The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, to image stabilization systems for autonomous aerial vehicles. In some embodiments, a UAV including a central body, an image capture assembly that couples the image capture assembly to the central body. The image stabilization assembly is configured to provide structural protection and support around the image capture assembly while passively isolating the image capture assembly from vibrations and other motion of the central body while the UAV is in flight.

An aircraft defining an upright orientation and an inverted orientation, a ground station; and a control system for remotely controlling the flight of the aircraft. The ground station has an auto-land function that causes the aircraft to invert, stall, and controllably land in the inverted orientation to protect a payload and a rudder extending down from the aircraft. In the upright orientation, the ground station depicts the view from a first aircraft camera. When switching to the inverted orientation: (1) the ground station depicts the view from a second aircraft camera, (2) the aircraft switches the colors of red and green wing lights, extends the ailerons to act as inverted flaps, and (3) the control system adapts a ground station controller for the inverted orientation. The aircraft landing gear is an expanded polypropylene pad located above the wing when the aircraft is in the upright orientation.

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.

A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

Embodiments of the present application are a UAV foot stand and a UAV. The UAV foot stand includes a main body, a mounting board, and a support structure, where one end of the main body is provided with a lightening cavity, one end of the main body that is provided with the lightening cavity extends outward to form the mounting board, the support structure is fixed to the main body, and the support structure at least partially extends into the lightening cavity and is connected to an inner wall of the lightening cavity, so as to increase rigidity of the main body.

Embodiments of the present application are a UAV foot stand and a UAV. The UAV foot stand includes a main body, a mounting board, and a support structure, where one end of the main body is provided with a lightening cavity, one end of the main body that is provided with the lightening cavity extends outward to form the mounting board, the support structure is fixed to the main body, and the support structure at least partially extends into the lightening cavity and is connected to an inner wall of the lightening cavity, so as to increase rigidity of the main body.

Method for inspecting and/or manipulating a beam at a lower side of a roof or deck, the beam including a strip, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, wherein the UAV comprises a body, a number of rotors, a first arm; and an inspection and/or manipulation tool; while the first arm is in the first position, flying the UAV towards the beam; when the UAV contacts the beam, moving the first arm from the first position to the second position such that the end of the first arm is moved to a position vertically above the strip; reduce the propulsion force until the UAV hangs from the beam with the end of the arm in contact with and supported by the strip; and inspecting and/or manipulating the beam, using the inspection and/or manipulation tool, while the UAV hangs from the beam.

Apparatus and methods are provided for providing persistent aerial vehicle surveillance capabilities, including launch and recovery platforms, secured communication, sensor systems, targeting systems, locating systems, and precision landing and stabilization systems for such uses as assisting with base defenses, monitoring parking lots or facilities, providing security monitoring, assisting farmers, performing recon of enemy beaches or use by mortar teams in hostile fields of operations. One embodiment can include an aerial surveillance system using an aerial short wave infrared surveillance system platform for use when quick response in reaction to real-time conditions is preferred while relaying the geo-location and other monitoring assistance via a wireless, fiber optic type link, or an ADHOC GPS system. Embodiments of this disclosure provides a user with precise targeting, without manned air assets, and a highly mobile base of operations with swift relocation possibilities in a denied or hostile environment.

Systems and methods are provided herein for managing a set of autonomous vehicles (AVs) configured to perform delivery tasks and computing tasks. Computing tasks can be performed such as training a model and/or calculating an incremental update for the model. As additional training data is obtained, a subset of AVs may be managed as a distributed computing cluster and assigned a computing task such as training or calculating an incremental update for the model or any suitable computing task. Corresponding data computed by the subset of AVs of the cluster (e.g., the retrained model, updated model parameters corresponding to the updated model, etc.) may be received and stored or transmitted (e.g., the computing task requestor, to the AVs, etc.) for subsequent use (e.g., for subsequent delivery tasks).

The invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle having multifunctional leg assembly and charging system, including unmanned aerial vehicle and charging station. The UAV includes obstacle avoidance sensors, flight control module, first signal processing module, electric undercarriage and power charge/storage module. The charging station includes power charge/supply module. The obstacle avoidance sensors sense obstacles near the UAV to generate obstacle sensing signals. The first signal processing module interprets and processes the obstacle sensing signals to determine whether there is an obstacle near the UAV, and when the judgment result is yes, an avoidance instruction is transmitted to the flight control module, so that the flight control module drives the UAV to avoid the obstacle. The electric undercarriage includes first leg frame, second leg frame and electric driving mechanism. The electric driving mechanism drives the first leg frame and the second leg frame to fold and unfold alternately. The power charge/storage module includes first positive electrode and first negative electrode. The charging station includes power charge/supply module. The power charge/supply module includes second positive electrode and second negative electrode. When the UAV parks on a platform of the charging station, and the first positive electrode and the first negative electrode are in contact with the second positive electrode and the second negative electrode, then the power charge/supply module charges electricity to the power charge/storage module.