A method of stabilizing a payload fitted in a carrier includes providing a first carrier component of the carrier, supporting a second carrier component of the carrier using the first carrier component, and supporting a third carrier component of the carrier using the second carrier component. The first carrier component is configured to permit rotation of the payload about a pitch axis. The second carrier component is configured to permit rotation of the payload about a yaw axis. The third carrier component is configured to permit rotation of the payload about a roll axis and connects to the payload.

Disclosed is an air-ground integrated landslide monitoring method and device. The monitoring method comprises the following steps: step one, performing high-precision (centimeter-level) vertical aerial photogrammetry and oblique photogrammetry on a monitored area by using an unmanned aerial vehicle, and quickly generating a digital topographic map, a digital orthographic map and a digital surface model; step two, performing accurate and intensive monitoring on the monitored area through a monitoring device; and step three, finally sending obtained data to a processor, and after the monitoring data are processed by the processor, sending the data to a remote-control center, so that real-time transformation and spatialization of dynamic landslide monitoring information are achieved. The present disclosure also provides a landslide monitoring device. The landslide monitoring device comprises a control box, a bottom plate and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for performing a user-less payment for an item upon its delivery by an unmanned delivery vehicle. The unmanned delivery vehicle may navigate to a delivery location, receive payment information, initiate a payment transaction with a remote server, and release the item at a specified location upon successful completion of the payment transaction. Upon arrival of the unmanned delivery vehicle, a wireless data transmission device may send payment information to a remote server, and the remote server may provide the unmanned delivery vehicle with an indication of whether the item can be released and a specific location at which the item can be released.

An aircraft (100) includes a body (10) and an outer frame (1) rotatably coupled to the body (10). The body (10) includes a plurality of rotary blades (15a-15d) and a driver (14a-14d) configured to rotate the plurality of rotary blades (15a-15d). The outer frame (1) includes a rotary frame (1a-1c) rotatable about a rotation axis intersecting the direction of gravity, and a center of gravity of the plurality of rotary blades (15a-15d) and the driver (14a-14d) is located lower than the rotation axis in the direction of gravity.

Unmanned monitoring devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones or rovers may inspect system components within an area of interest (AOI) such an electric power distribution system including generation, transmission, and distribution elements for autonomous detection of damage to the components. Work orders for repairing the damage are autonomously generated and resources identified within the work orders are autonomously provisioned.

Systems and methods for robotic inspection of above-ground pipelines are disclosed. Embodiments may include a robotic crawler having a plurality of motors that are individually controllable for improved positioning on the pipeline to facilitate image acquisition. Embodiments may also include mounting systems to house and carry imaging equipment configured to capture image data simultaneously from a plurality of angles. Such mounting systems may be adjustable to account for different sizes of pipes (e.g., 2-40+ inches), and may be configured to account for traversing various pipe support structures. Still further, mounting systems may include quick-release members to allow for removal and re-mounting of imaging equipment when traversing support structures. In other aspects, embodiments may be directed toward control systems for the robotic crawler which assist in the navigation and image capture capabilities of the crawler.

A control method includes obtaining one or more attitude parameters of a gimbal of a UAV and adjusting one or more attitude parameters of the UAV according to the one or more attitude parameters of the gimbal. The UAV includes a vehicle body, and a power system and the gimbal that are provided at the vehicle body. The power system includes a motor and a propeller and is configured to provide flight power for the UAV. The gimbal is configured to connect a photographing device to the vehicle body. Adjusting the one or more attitude parameters of the UAV includes adjusting a yaw parameter of the UAV according to the yaw parameter of the gimbal. Adjusting the yaw parameter of the UAV includes controlling the UAV to rotate in a yaw direction according to the yaw parameter of the gimbal, to cause the UAV to rotate along with the gimbal.

A mapping system receives sensor data from an unmanned aerial vehicle. The mapping system further receives images from a camera of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The mapping system determines an altitude of the camera based on the sensor data. The mapping system calculates a footprint of the camera based on the altitude of the camera and a field of view of the camera. The mapping system constructs a localized map based on the images and the footprint of the camera.

Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for generation of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle flight plans based on triggered sensor information. One of the methods includes accessing information correlated from sensors monitoring features of weather events, and determining an upcoming weather event, the determination comprising one or more areas expected to be affected by the weather event. A likelihood of damage associated with the weather event is determined to be greater than a threshold in the areas. The weather event is monitored while areas in which the likelihood is greater than the threshold are updated accordingly. Subsequent to the weather event, properties to be inspected by unmanned aerial vehicles are determined based on severity information associated with the weather event. Job information is generated, the job information being associated with inspecting the determined properties, the job information including jobs each assignable to operators for implementation.

A system for identifying an aspect of interest on a vehicle that includes a local AI system that can analyze sensor data from an on-site sensor to make an attempt to identify the aspect of interest according to first criterion. The aspect of interest can be information printed on the vehicle and/or on a seal of the vehicle. If the local AI system is unable to identify and validate the information on the first effort, it can consult with a central/global AI system that can leverage its own database and other local systems at other locations for subsequent attempts at identifying and validating the aspects of interest.