An imaging device according to the present technology includes a light source spectral sensor that obtains a wavelength spectrum for light coming from a light source illuminating a measurement target, to detect light for each wavelength, and a multispectral camera that performs wavelength spectral imaging of the measurement target. The light source spectral sensor is configured to be capable of obtaining a spectrum of more wavelengths than those of the multispectral camera.

A method of analyzing shipments of goods includes receiving, by a transceiver of a shipment analysis system, a heat map template, where the heat map template is an expected heat map for a plurality of packages in a shipment. The method also includes directing electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source to the package to heat any ferromagnetic material in or on a package. The method also includes generating, by a processor of the shipment analysis system, a heat map based on the heating of any ferromagnetic material in or on the package. The method further includes generating, by the processor, an alert responsive to a determination that the generated heat map does not match the heat map template. The alert indicates that the package is not one of the plurality of packages in the shipment.

An aircraft includes at least one sensor, an altitude actuator, a memory device, and an electronic controller. The at least one sensor is configured to detect altitude of the aircraft, current position of the aircraft and speed of the aircraft. The altitude actuator is configured to change the altitude of the aircraft. The memory device is configured to store predetermined terrain data of an area. The electronic controller is configured to estimate a future position of the aircraft based on a detected current position of the aircraft and a detected speed of the aircraft. The electronic controller is further configured to control the altitude actuator based on the future position, a detected altitude of the aircraft and the predetermined terrain data.

A method and a device for measuring a spray area are provided. The method includes obtaining flight data of an unmanned aerial vehicle when performing a spray operation. The method also includes according to the flight data and a spray amplitude of a spray nozzle on the unmanned aerial vehicle for spraying, determining the spray area of the spray operation.

An automatic degradable sphere distributing device for an unmanned aerial vehicle, relating to the technical field of plant protection mechanism. Said distributing device comprises a ranking portion, an adjustment portion and a distributing portion. The ranking portion consists of a rotating shaft (2), blades (1a, 1b), a rolling bearing (12), a sphere cabinet (3), a coupling (9b), a motor support (11b) and a motor (10b). The adjustment portion consists of a housing (501), a bevel gear transmission group (502, 503) and adjustment sheets (504a, 504b, 504c). The distributing portion consists of circular wheels (8a, 8b), a spur gear group (6a, 6b), a guide rod (13), a coupling (9a), a motor support (11a) and a motor (10a). Said distributing device may rank the degradable spheres vertically in sequence, being adaptable to spheres of different volumes, being highly universal, and being capable of distributing the spheres at intervals, with high precision and automation degree.

The present invention discloses a method of automatic agricultural pollination based on a micro air vehicle, with detailed steps as follows: in a current pollination working area j, a central control system CCS assigning a work task to a micro air vehicle pollinator MAVi; capturing a data of flower via a camera and a data acquisition device; processing an original data collected from a specific data source, and then screening, filtering and preprocessing the original data; according to a data flow, performing an operation of recognizing flower; assessing whether a designated flower is successfully recognized or not; the micro air vehicle pollinator MAVi pollinating the designated flower; assessing a pollination result and an effectiveness of the micro air vehicle pollinator MAVi, and determining whether to end a work of the current working area j and to enter into the next working area j+1 or not. The present invention is more efficient in an automatic process, reducing an operating cost at the same time, being advantageous for propelling intellectualization, and the present invention can provide a higher efficiency and a better pollination quality and improve an agricultural productivity.

We describe an aircraft design, which is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and also high-speed cruise on a fixed wing. The aircraft comprises a fuselage with a probe-deployment mechanism, which deploys a sample-gathering probe, located at a front end of the fuselage. A main wing is coupled to a middle section of the fuselage, wherein a right motor and right propeller are coupled to a right side of the main wing, and a left motor and left propeller are coupled to a left side of the main wing. The right and left propellers are angled with respect to the fuselage enabling the aircraft to pitch up to a vertical-takeoff mode and pitch down a horizontal-cruising mode. A pitch motor and pitch propeller are located at the rear end of the fuselage, wherein the pitch propeller is angled to provide substantially vertical thrust to control a pitch of the fuselage.

A method, an apparatus, and a kit for assembling a mobile platform are provided. A flowable substance is carried on the mobile platform. A module is enabled to contain the flowable substance and to couple with the mobile platform, with a power device of the mobile platform being installed in a recess having a depth extending from a surface toward an interior of the module. The module is configured to include an anti-drift structure.

An autonomous remote device for deployment in an area, comprising: a mechanism for launching the device airborne from a first of a plurality of locations; a mechanism for navigating the device when airborne to a second of the plurality of locations; and a mechanism for landing the device at the second of the plurality of locations.

Unmanned autonomous vehicles UAV (e.g., drones) are described that include an insect carrier for transporting and/or capturing mosquitoes or other insects and/or their larvae. The insect carrier may include a programmable opening for delivering the insects/larvae to a select location and/or capture the insects from the select location. Target locations include underground sewers, and the UAV includes sonar sensors to assess spatial surroundings and adjust positioning to avoid any collisions.