A method for performing an inspection of a utility asset includes obtaining current magnetic signature data for at least one electrical asset; comparing the current magnetic signature data to a model describing an expected change in the electrical asset's magnetic signature over time; and determining a current state-of-wear of the at least one electrical asset based on the comparison to the model.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a surveying system operable to receive a plurality of electromagnetic waves via a guided wave transceiver that include environmental data collected via a plurality of sensors at a plurality of remote sites. Weather pattern data is generated based on the environmental data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) making use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for more than one task. The inventors discovered that an improved UAS could be provided by combining one or more of these three elements: (1) hot-swappable modular kits (e.g., a plurality of components useful in UAVs to perform particular user-selectable tasks); (2) an interconnection mechanism for each component with identification protocols that provides both a physical and a data connection; and (3) an intelligent system that interprets the identification protocols and determines the configuration for a selected task, error checking, airworthiness, and calibration. The system and associated methods for the task based drone configuration and verification reduces the possibility of task failure by an operator.

Systems, devices, and methods for receiving, by a ground control station (GCS) having a processor with addressable memory, a plurality of point source gas concentration measurements; receiving, by the GCS, a meteorological data corresponding to each point source concentration gas measurement; determining, by the GCS, if each point source gas concentration measurement is an elevated ambient gas concentration; generating, by the GCS, a back trajectory for each elevated ambient gas concentration; storing, by the GCS, the position of each generated back trajectory in a grid; determining, by the GCS, a probability of a gas source location corresponding to the stored positions in the grid; and generating, by the GCS, an overlay showing the probability of the gas source location.

Systems and methods of calculating a ballistic solution for a projectile are provided. A ballistic system may include an airborne device, a ballistic computer, a data interface, and a flight module, or any combination thereof. The airborne device (e.g., a drone) may be operable to gather wind data along or adjacent to a flight path of a projectile to a target. The ballistic computer may be in data communication with the airborne device to receive the wind data. The ballistic computer may be configured to calculate a ballistic solution for the projectile based on the wind data. The data interface may be in data communication with the ballistic computer to output the ballistic solution to a user. The flight module may be configured to calibrate a flight path of the airborne device.

Aspects of the technology relate to an environmental sensor system that uses different types of detector units as part of an onboard lightning detection and evaluation system for a high altitude platform (HAP) operating in the stratosphere. These sensor suites may be employed with balloons and other high altitude platforms during operation in the stratosphere. Onboard data processing and analysis may be done either in real time or on stored data sets. The processing system can use the gathered sensor information to mitigate issues related to lightning-related transients. The information can also be used in route planning and real-time navigation of HAPs when hazardous conditions are detected. It can also be employed in a back-end control system for long-term route planning and fleet management.

A UAV comprises a camera and a controller. The controller is configured to: (a) receive image data from the camera, (b) determine, based on the received image data, whether or not a predetermined visibility condition associated with an operator of the UAV is satisfied, and (c) perform a predetermined action to attempt to operate in accordance with a predetermined visibility state with respect to the operator of the UAV based on a result of the determination.

A computer receives a hotspot and a corresponding incentive, where the hotspot is a geolocation for collecting the weather data. The computer presents the received hotspot and the corresponding incentive to a user. The computer receives the weather data from the drone, transmits the weather data to a server, and updates a scorecard with the incentive corresponding to the hotspot based on determining that the drone reached the hotspot.

The present disclosure provides an information processing device for generating imaging control information for imaging an object by a moving body. The information processing device includes a processing unit configured to obtain shape information of the object to be imaged; generate a moving path for imaging a side of the object to be imaged based on an imaging distance corresponding to the shape information; set an imaging position on the moving path; and set an imaging direction at the imaging position based on a normal direction of the side of the object to be imaged.

Aspects of the technology relate to temperature regulation for high altitude, long duration balloons, such as balloons that operate in the stratosphere for weeks, months or longer. A balloon covering overlays the balloon envelope, providing an opaque or otherwise light-reflective layer with low emissivity that blocks or reflects optical and/or infrared light. Heat from within the envelope is reflected back from the covering toward the envelope, while light from the sun is reflected back towards the environment. An active venting system is employed to draw in cooler ambient air from the external environment while expelling warmer air from within the envelope. Vent and air intake assemblies of the active venting system are actuated in view of current and/or predicted balloon conditions to regulate internal balloon temperature. This approach reduces repeated pressure changes, which can put undue stress on the balloon envelope and adversely affect the operational lifespan of the system.