An aerial vehicle equipped with a first range sensor oriented to capture range data above the aerial vehicle and a second range sensor oriented to capture range data below the aerial vehicle is programmed with global map of an indoor space, including an upper global map representing distance data for upper surfaces of the indoor space and a lower global map representing distance data for lower surfaces of the indoor space. An offset to an altitude is calculated based on a comparison between range data captured by the first range sensor and the upper global map, and range data captured by the second range sensor and the lower global map. Additionally, global maps may be updated based on returns captured by the range sensors, where such data indicates the presence of a previously undetected object.

An aerial vehicle system for detecting magnetized objects comprises a propulsion system and sensor bar having magnetic field sensors at opposite ends to collect magnetic field data. In one example, the sensor bar extends at least one and a half times the propulsion system's length. The system further includes a positioning system, an altitude sensor, and an energy storage system. A processor executes flight instructions to navigate the aerial vehicle along a predefined path, collecting magnetic field and position data. A magnetic field information analyzer processes this data, generating expected magnetic signatures, comparing them to collected data, and predicting magnetized object locations. A user interface allows flight path customization and overlays detected objects onto a map of the surveyed area. The system can identify unexploded ordnance and landmines by comparing detected signals to predefined thresholds. The method includes controlling flight, collecting magnetic data, and analyzing signals to detect magnetized objects.

A method comprising receiving, via a server, a distress signal from a first drone determining among a plurality of drones performing mission tasks, is experiencing distress and has entered a mitigation procedure responsive to the mitigation procedure to include the content received from the first drone; and assigning, via the server, a new drone to replace the first drone as a follower drone or a leader drone.

Systems, devices, and methods including: at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); at least one battery pack comprising at least one battery; and at least one motor of the at least one UAV, where the at least one battery is configured to transfer energy to the at least one motor; where power from the at least one motor is configured to ascend the at least one UAV to a second altitude when the at least one battery is at or near capacity, and where the second altitude is higher than the first altitude; and where power from the at least one motor is configured to descend the at least one UAV to the first altitude after the Sun has set to conserve energy stored in the at least one battery.

An embodiment selects, from a set of candidate locations within a power generation site, a first power generation location. An embodiment causes generation of electricity, by a first power generation unit, at the first power generation location. An embodiment forecasts, during the generation of electricity, a future power generation status of the first power generation unit at the first power generation location. An embodiment causes relocating, responsive to the future power generation status, of the first power generation unit to a second power generation location, the relocating altering the future power generation status.

Provided is a control device that controls a power supply flight vehicle, the control device including a control unit which controls the power supply flight vehicle so as to cause a light irradiation unit to radiate light toward a solar cell panel while flying following flight of a power supply target flight vehicle on which the solar cell panel is mounted. Provided is a control method to control a power supply flight vehicle, which is executed by a computer, the control method including controlling the power supply flight vehicle so as to cause a light irradiation unit to radiate light toward a solar cell panel while flying following flight of a power supply target flight vehicle on which the solar cell panel is mounted.

An embodiment for controlling material movement with swarm power generating robots in a multi-machine environment is provided. The embodiment may include receiving data relating to an activity and one or more material handling devices to perform the activity. The embodiment may also include identifying one or more characteristics of one or more objects associated with the activity. The embodiment may further include predicting an amount of power required to transport the one or more objects. The embodiment may also include in response to determining at least one material handling device is unable to produce the required amount of power, identifying one or more power generation robots capable of transmitting the required amount of power to the at least one material handling device. The embodiment may further include deploying the one or more power generation robots to a target location of the at least one material handling device.

An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load. Preferably, the apparatus includes a control assembly having one or more voltage-detector components configured to detect relative voltages of the electrodes; and a processor enabled to configurebased on the detected voltages and based on voltage and electric current specifications for powering the electrical loadone or more of the electrical components to establish an electric circuit for powering the electrical load.