An induction heating system a base and an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate an emission area in the base. The emission area comprises a portion of the base that receives electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source. The system also includes a ferromagnetic element and an element controller configured to move the ferromagnetic element into and out of the emission area.

A method for servicing an object via a mobile platform includes maintaining a distance between the mobile platform and the object and performing a task for the object while maintaining the distance.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body that supports one or more rotors, the one or more rotors each driven by a motor and configured to provide lift to the body. The UAV further includes a parts handler coupled to the body, the parts handler configured to grasp a payload, and rotate the payload with respect to an external structure to couple the payload to, or decouple the payload from, the external structure. The UAV includes a stabilizing mechanism extending from the body, the stabilizing mechanism configured to contact the external structure without transferring entire weight of the UAV to the external structure and prevent rotation of the body when the part-handler rotates the payload.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body that supports one or more rotors, the one or more rotors each driven by a motor and configured to provide lift to the body. The UAV further includes a parts handler coupled to the body, the parts handler configured to grasp a payload, and rotate the payload with respect to an external structure to couple the payload to, or decouple the payload from, the external structure. The UAV includes a stabilizing mechanism extending from the body, the stabilizing mechanism configured to contact the external structure without transferring entire weight of the UAV to the external structure and prevent rotation of the body when the part-handler rotates the payload.

A parking assist system for use in a parking lot including parking spaces for a plurality of vehicles includes: a vehicle sensor which determines whether an assisted vehicle attempting to enter or exit one of the parking spaces is a general vehicle that travels through vehicle operation by a driver or an autonomous vehicle capable of self-driving according to an external travel signal; and a travel signal transmitter which, when the assisted vehicle is determined as the general vehicle, transmits, to a specific autonomous vehicle among parked autonomous vehicles, a travel signal for traveling to an available position for enabling the entry or the exit of the assisted vehicle.

The present invention recites a scissor arm for an unmanned robotic system such as a UAV, also known as a drone. This arm would typically be installed on the underside of a UAV with hover capability. The arm is designed to simultaneously vertically lower and horizontally extend a payload, permitting a person to interact with the payload without risk of injury by the UAV's propellers. This arm is practical for applications such as a routine police traffic stop, wherein an officer can safely remain in their vehicle and interact with the driver via a drone equipped with communication equipment and such an arm. The drone's arm can present the driver with a box for gathering documents from the driver without risk of injuring the driver or damaging the driver's vehicle. This is accomplished by two inventive L-shaped trusses that offset the arm's payload horizontally as the arm is extended downward.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body that supports one or more rotors, the one or more rotors each driven by a motor and configured to provide lift to the body. The UAV further includes a parts handler coupled to the body, the parts handler configured to grasp a payload, and rotate the payload with respect to an external structure to couple the payload to, or decouple the payload from, the external structure. The UAV includes a stabilizing mechanism extending from the body, the stabilizing mechanism configured to contact the external structure without transferring entire weight of the UAV to the external structure and prevent rotation of the body when the part-handler rotates the payload.

An electrical and mechanical junction structure for lighting or signage hanging high above the ground is provided. This junction structure is separable into two components by an actuation connector to facilitate the lowering and raising of the lighting or signage for maintenance. The actuation connector is raised and inserted into the junction structure by an unmanned aerial vehicle.

A technique is described for implementing drones as a service. As an example, a drone may receive instructions from one or more network elements, coordinate operations with the one or more network elements, and perform at least one task associated with the instructions. The drone may deliver a container to a first location and perform object recognition to validate an object of a subscriber being delivered to a second location. The drone may measure the weight and dimensions of the object to confirm the object is within operating guidelines. After verifying the object is within operating guidelines, the drone may transport the container containing the object to the second location.

Methods and systems for servicing distributed generators are provided herein. For example, a system for servicing distributed generators comprises a distributed generator comprising a plurality of components, a controller communicatively connected to the plurality of components, and an unmanned aerial vehicle communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of components or the controller for at least one of transmitting and receiving data relating to the plurality of components.