Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV.

An air vehicle configured to augment effective drag to change the rate of descent of the air vehicle in flight via propeller shaft rotation direction reversal, i.e., thrust reversal.

A support frame includes a locking assembly including a first locking frame and a locking block. The support frame also includes at least two support rods disposed on the first locking frame, the at least two support rods including at least one first support rod and at least one second support rod. The first locking frame is slidable relative to and along at least one of the support rods. The locking block is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the second support rod and to press tightly on the second support rod, to lock the second support rod at a current location relative to an axial direction of the first support rod.

This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.

The invention relates to a method for landing a tethered aircraft (90), comprising the steps of approaching a ground site with said aircraft, thereby shortening free length of tether (92) between the aircraft and the ground site until said free length of tether reaches a predetermined value, further approaching the ground site with said aircraft, thereby keeping free length of tether fixed at said predetermined value, retaining the tether to form a loop, wherein the loop is tensed and tightened by the moving aircraft, and damping said tightening of said loop in order to decelerate the aircraft until it stands at the ground site. The invention further relates to a launch and land system (1) for a tethered aircraft comprising a runway (12) for the aircraft, a winch (62) for the tether, and a retention system (42,46) for forming a loop of the tether between the winch and the aircraft approaching the runway, wherein said retention system features a damping device (41) for damping a tightening of said loop caused due to movement of the aircraft upon approach and landing in order to decelerate said aircraft.

An air vehicle configured to augment effective drag to change the rate of descent of the air vehicle in flight via propeller shaft rotation direction reversal, i.e., thrust reversal.

A method of analyzing a propeller status of a wireless aerial robot can include measuring status information related to the propeller status by a sensor of a propeller; determining whether an operation of the propeller is abnormal based on the status information; transmitting the status information and operation information regarding whether an operation of the propeller is abnormal to a control unit using short range wireless communication; and analyzing, by the control unit, a flight status of the wireless aerial robot based on the status information and the operation information regarding whether the operation of the propeller is abnormal.

The present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for autonomously landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with collaborative information sharing and without a central coordinating entity. In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes an unmanned aerial vehicle including a communication interface, a memory; and an electronic processor. The communication interface is configured to establish a wireless communication link with one or more unmanned aerial vehicles. The electronic processor configured to autonomously coordinate landings at a landing strip with the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent collisions exchanging messages with the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles via the wireless communication link according to a collision avoidance protocol, and wherein the autonomous coordination occurs without a central coordination entity.

This invention relates to the use of a retracting hand launching and landing pole for drones having small or short landing legs that are difficult to grasp when hand launching and landing in windy conditions and on moving platforms or irregular ground, and will not interfere with normal flat surface landings.

A portion of a vertical structure is determined for inspection by an unmanned aerial vehicle. A flight plan including safe locations around the vertical structure is determined. Each of the safe locations is associated with a respective column of waypoints. The unmanned aerial vehicle navigates according to the flight plan by navigating to a first safe location of the safe locations, navigating vertically along a first column associated with the first safe location, activating sensors to obtain respective sensor information at at least some of the waypoints associated with the first safe location, navigating to a second safe location of the safe locations, navigating vertically along a second column associated with the second safe location, and activating the sensors to obtain respective sensor information at at least some of the waypoints associated with the second safe location.