Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data, for configuring propagule capsules (e.g. containing seeds or spores with growth media and other helpful materials) for deployment via drones so that each has an improved chance of survival, and for configuring drones or piloted craft for safe fleet deployment in remote locations.

Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data, for configuring propagule capsules (e.g. containing seeds or spores with growth media and other helpful materials) for deployment via drones so that each has an improved chance of survival, and for configuring drones or piloted craft for safe fleet deployment in remote locations.

Methods and systems are presented for making good use of recently obtained biometric data, for configuring propagule capsules (e.g. containing seeds or spores with growth media and other helpful materials) for deployment via drones so that each has an improved chance of survival, and for configuring drones or piloted craft for safe fleet deployment in remote locations.

A method and system provide the ability to autonomously operate an unmanned aerial system (UAS) over long durations of time. The UAS vehicle autonomously takes off from a take-off landing-charging station and autonomously executes a mission. The mission includes data acquisition instructions in a defined observation area. Upon mission completion, the UAS autonomously travels to a target landing-charging station and performs an autonomous precision landing on the target landing-charging station. The UAS autonomously re-charges via the target landing-charging station. Once re-charged, the UAS is ready to execute a next sortie. When landed, the UAS autonomously transmits mission data to the landing-charging station for in situ or cloud-based data processing.

A software process for controlling a configurable UAV that includes a plurality of databases of crop plants, herbicides, insecticides and weeds. An area is defined to be treated. Thereafter, a scout UAV with an on-board camera is flown over the pre-defined area. Images detected by the camera are compared with the crop, pest and weed databases to respectively identify the crop plants, insects, and weeds. The insects and weeds are then subjected to a spot blast of pesticide/herbicide to kill them. Thus, the process results in a more efficient application of treatment chemicals which leads to less adverse environmental impacts associated with the use of pesticides and herbicides.

An unmanned aerial vehicle including a controller is provided. The controller is configured to determine a first relative height between the unmanned aerial vehicle and a ground reflector directly below the unmanned aerial vehicle and a second relative height between the unmanned aerial vehicle and a ground reflector ahead the unmanned aerial vehicle. The controller then determines a combined relative height for reflecting a front terrain change according to at least the first relative height and the second relative height. Based on the determined combined relative height, the controller further adjusts the flight attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

A sensor system includes at least one sensor configured to detect at least one environmental parameter, a processor coupled to the at least one sensor, and a dissolvable polymer encasing the sensor system.

The present disclosure provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control method. The method includes controlling a microwave radar disposed on the UAV to transmit a microwave signal while rotating around a rotating shaft; acquiring a frequency of an intermediate frequency signal based on a frequency of the transmitted signal and a frequency of an echo signal; determining a distance between the UAV and a surrounding obstacle based on the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal; and adjusting a flight path of the UAV based on the distance between the UAV and the surrounding obstacle.

The present invention relates to the autonomous application of crop protection products by means of a drone. The present invention relates to a process and to an unmanned aerial vehicle for applying crop protection product taking into consideration drift phenomena. The present invention furthermore relates to a computer program product which can be employed for controlling the process according to the invention.

An insect elimination system eliminates a flying insect in an airspace. The system comprises: a camera configured to provide image data representative of at least part of the airspace; an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, comprising a propeller to propel the UAV through the airspace; and a controller, the controller being connected to the camera to receive the image data, and being connected to the UAV to provide control data to the UAV. The controller is configured to: monitor the image data received from the camera, for an image of an insect; and in case an image of an insect has been found in the image data: derive from the image data a position of the insect in the airspace; and guide the UAV, using the derived position of the insect in the airspace, to hit the insect by the propeller.