A method, system, and computer-readable media for providing a mountable directed-energy system comprising a directed-energy source for generating and transmitting directed-energy. At least a portion of the directed-energy system may be mounted to one or more other devices such as any of a vehicle, drone, or other manually operated, autonomous, or semi-autonomous system.

Drone-based inventory management method and systems. One embodiment provides a drone-based inventory management system including one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a central management system having an electronic processor, and a transceiver configured to communicate with the one or more UAVs. The electronic processor is configured to determine a discrepancy in inventory and select a UAV for verification. The electronic processor is also configured to determine whether weather permits UAV operation and operate the UAV in a pre-determined route when the weather permits UAV operation. The electronic processor is further configured to capture images using the UAV and determine new inventory based on captured images. The electronic processor is also configured to update inventory based on the new inventory.

A storage device (10) that stores an unmanned aerial vehicle (30) includes a main body portion (20) having a magnet or a magnetic body (111, 112) for applying a magnetic force to the unmanned aerial vehicle (30) provided with a magnet (121, 122) on an upper surface.

An aerial vehicle equipped with a first range sensor oriented to capture range data above the aerial vehicle and a second range sensor oriented to capture range data below the aerial vehicle is programmed with global map of an indoor space, including an upper global map representing distance data for upper surfaces of the indoor space and a lower global map representing distance data for lower surfaces of the indoor space. An offset to an altitude is calculated based on a comparison between range data captured by the first range sensor and the upper global map, and range data captured by the second range sensor and the lower global map. Additionally, global maps may be updated based on returns captured by the range sensors, where such data indicates the presence of a previously undetected object.

Improved device and method for indoor monitoring The invention provides, amongst other aspects, an aircraft (1) for indoor monitoring, comprising a lifting means; a propulsion means (4, 4, 51, 61); a positioning means (2a, 2b); and a monitoring means (3); wherein the lifting means comprises a levitation means (7), preferably is a levitation means; wherein the aircraft further comprises a docking means (9) for charging; wherein either said aircraft extends between two ends along a main direction; wherein the aircraft comprises said docking means (9) at one end; or said aircraft extends between a lower portion and an upper portion along a levitation direction; wherein the aircraft comprises said docking means (9) at said lower portion. Thereby, said charging relates at least to the maintenance of an upward force for said levitation means (7). In embodiments, the indoor monitoring relates to autonomous monitoring. The invention further provides a system, a docking means for an aircraft, a docking station for charging of an aircraft, and a method for indoor monitoring.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a light source (7), the method using (a) at least one pose estimate (1) of a camera (8) configured to capture one or more images of a scene of interest (13) which comprises at least one landmark (9), as said light source is operated to emit light which illuminates said scene of interest, (b) a landmark map (2) comprising at least 3D location information of a plurality of landmarks comprising the at least one landmark in the scene of interest, (c) an illumination model (3) describing a relationship between an emission illumination power and reflection illumination power, wherein said emission illumination power is the power of light emitted by the light source (7) to illuminate said scene of interest, and said reflection illumination power is the illumination power of light reflected by one or more landmarks in said scene of interest and received by the camera, and (d) a predefined threshold reflection illumination power (4). The method comprises the following steps: (a) determining (5), for at least one of the plurality of landmarks, at least one optimized emission illumination power of light (6) to be emitted by the light source, and an illumination time course (6) during which the light source should be operated to emit light which has an emission illumination power which is equal to the at least one optimized emission illumination power, using (i) the at least one pose estimate (1) of the camera, (ii) the 3D location information of the at least one of the plurality of landmarks, (iii) the illumination model (3), and (iv) the predefined threshold reflection illumination power (4); and (b) operating the light source (7) to emit light which has an emission illumination power which is equal to the at least one optimized emission illumination power (6), for a time period which is equal to the determined illumination time course (6).

A method of performing pollination of a flower of a plant, and a system for performing pollination. The method comprises the steps of providing a device for generating an airflow; positioning the device relative to the plant such that the flower is subjected to the airflow; and dislodging pollen from the flower as a result of vibrations caused by airflow-induced instabilities in the flower.

A drone port has a set of autonomous transport robots (or rovers) that can collaborate with each other, are automated and can provide a scalable drone service unit or system within an existing building. The rovers are able to transport or move the drones, such as to and from a landing, take-off or drop-off area. The rovers can transport or move (drone) packages/payloads and load/unload the packages onto, or from, the drones.

A storage device (20) according to the present disclosure is a storage device that stores an unmanned aerial vehicle (30), and includes a main body portion (21) having a curved surface on which the unmanned aerial vehicle (30) is movable by bringing its wheels (302) into contact therewith, and a gripping portion (23) for gripping the unmanned aerial vehicle (30).

A storage device (10) that stores an unmanned aerial vehicle (30) includes a gripping portion (11) for gripping the unmanned aerial vehicle (30), and a main body portion (10) having a suction surface (21) to which an upper surface (313) of the unmanned aerial vehicle (30) is suctioned.