An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

A flight device includes at least one propelling unit and a controller unit for flying in the air, and the flight device is thrown by a user. The controller unit drives the propelling unit after throwing is performed by the user, such that the flight device flies based on a state of the flight device at a moment when the throwing is performed.

A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The UAV comprises at least one rotor. The method includes receiving a take-off preparatory signal; controlling a rotation speed of the at least one rotor with an idle speed rotation in response to the take-off preparatory signal; increasing the rotation speed of the at least one rotor up to a rated speed rotation under predetermined conditions.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) copter for consumer photography or videography can be launched by a user throwing the UAV copter into mid-air. The UAV copter can detect that the UAV copter has been thrown upward while propeller drivers of the UAV copter are inert. In response to detecting that the UAV copter has been thrown upward, the UAV copter can compute power adjustments for propeller drivers of the UAV copter to have the UAV copter reach a predetermined elevation above an operator device. The UAV copter can then supply power to the propeller drivers in accordance with the computed power adjustments.

An information gathering apparatus includes an information acquisition sensor unit to acquire information and a propelling system to fly in air. The information gathering apparatus includes a supporting unit and a controller. The supporting unit supports the propelling system in the first and second configurations. The controller moves the supporting unit such that the supporting unit supports the propelling system in the second configuration after the information gathering apparatus is thrown up in a state where the supporting unit supports the propelling system in the first configuration.

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.

Systems, computer readable medium and methods for autonomous drone navigation based on vision are disclosed. Example methods include capturing an image using an image capturing device of the autonomous drone, processing the image to identify an object, and navigating the autonomous drone relative to the object for a period of time. After the period of time a second type of navigation is used based on determining structure from motion navigation. Images are captured during the period of time to transition to the second type of navigation. The second type of navigation uses a downward pointing navigation camera and other sensors.

Systems, computer readable medium and methods for autonomous drone navigation based on vision are disclosed. Example methods include capturing an image using an image capturing device of the autonomous drone, processing the image to identify an object, and navigating the autonomous drone relative to the object for a period of time. After the period of time a second type of navigation is used based on determining structure from motion navigation. Images are captured during the period of time to transition to the second type of navigation. The second type of navigation uses a downward pointing navigation camera and other sensors.

An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle rotor configurations. In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle includes a central body that extends along a longitudinal axis from a forward end to an aft end including a port side opposite a starboard side. Multiple rotor arms each have a proximal end coupled to the central body and a rotor assembly arranged at a distal end to provide propulsion for the aerial vehicle. The rotor assemblies include a first set of rotor assemblies and a second set of rotor assemblies. The first set of rotor assemblies are arranged in a non-inverted configuration on a top side of the aerial vehicle such that each rotor assembly includes an upward-facing rotor. The second set of rotor assemblies are arranged in an inverted configuration on a bottom side of the aerial vehicle such that each rotor assembly includes a downward-facing rotor.