An approach is provided for dynamic obstacle data in a collision probability map. The approach, for example, involves monitoring a flight of an aerial vehicle through a three-dimensional (3D) space that is partitioned into 3D shapes of varying resolutions. The approach also involves detecting an entry of the aerial vehicle into one 3D shape of the plurality of 3D shapes. The approach further involves, on detecting an exit of the aerial vehicle form the one 3D shape, recording a 3D shape identifier (ID) of the one 3D shape and at least one of a first timestamp indicating the entry, a second timestamp indicating the exit, a duration of stay in the one 3D shape, dimensions of the aerial vehicle, or a combination thereof as a dynamic obstacle observation record. The approach further involves transmitting the dynamic obstacle observation record to another device (e.g., a server for creating the collision probability map).

To ensure stability of flying by an unmanned aerial vehicle, first acquisition means of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system acquires first information, which is at least one piece of information for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle that is flying or information on a result of detecting an operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Second acquisition means acquires second information for operating the unmanned aerial vehicle after switching of control of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Flight control means restricts, in accordance with the first information and the second information, switching to control of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the second information.

A surveillance drone system is provided herein generally including an UAV, a base power station, and, a tether for connecting the UAV to the base power station to provide electrical power to the UAV when airborne. The base power station may include a cable take-up assembly for releasing and taking up the tether. A plug or power module is provided at the free end of the tether configured to be detachably coupled with the UAV, to transmit electrical power to, and, possibly, data to and from, the UAV. With the plug or power module being detached, the UAV is free to fly unrestricted. This arrangement allows for the UAV to be airborne for prolonged periods to allow for monitoring a region and for release to allow the UAV to investigate anomalies in the monitored region.

A method, apparatus and system are provided for operating one or more drones in a building. In the context of a method, information is determined that includes at least one of real time information or predictive information. The real time information is indicative of a position of at least one individual in the building, while the predictive information is indicative of a predicted location of the at least one individual in the building at a certain time. The method also includes controlling the one or more drones in the building according to the at least one of the real time information or the predictive information to avoid the at least one individual while the drone is performing a task.

Disclosed are embodiments for employing off board sensors to augment data used by a ground based autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the off-board sensors may be positioned on another autonomous vehicle, such as an aerial autonomous vehicle (AAV). The disclosed embodiments determine uncertainty scores associated with ground regions. The uncertainty scores indicate a need to reimage the ground regions. An AAV may be tasked to reimage a region having a relatively high uncertainty score, depending on a cost associated with the tasking.

Disclosed herein are embodiments for providing a trusted autonomy framework for unmanned aerial systems. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a request from an entity to participate in secure data sharing within the trusted autonomy framework for unmanned aerial systems, receiving a type of data that will be shared via the entity, and verifying an identity of the entity, a security infrastructure of the entity, and validating the data to be shared. In some embodiments, in response to verifying, accepting the entity into the trusted autonomy framework for unmanned aerial systems.

A method employs an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry an electromagnetic field measurement system to overcome environmental obstacles in measuring environmental electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field measurement system senses the electromagnetic field of a spatial position in the environment to generate a sensing signal, then processes the sensing signal to remove the high-frequency electromagnetic interference generated by the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle itself from the sensing signal, and converts the processed sensing signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is processed to extract at least one wave according to a fundamental frequency and a harmonic order, thereby removing the low-frequency electromagnetic interference from the digital signal. The extracted wave is employed in calculating an environmental electromagnetic field value of the spatial location.

A ground marker for use in identifying a location associated with a mission performed by an aerial vehicle includes a visible surface with aspects that are positioned at different vertical heights or elevations. The vertical variation in the aspects of the visible surface enhances a level of visibility of the ground marker within images captured by cameras provided aboard the aerial vehicle, resulting in more accurate estimations of ranges to such markers (e.g., altitudes) determined from such images. The visible surface includes one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar codes, alphanumeric characters and symbols thereon and is provided on or within rigid or flexible frames that are adapted to be placed on ground surfaces at the location associated with the mission.

A drone docking ports (DDP) mounted on a pole top in close proximity to an accident scene with an openable and closable enclosure, a docking plate having integrated battery wired or wireless recharging pads, and a control module (CM) is disclosed. The CM is adapted to autonomously control all functions of the DDP including actuation of the enclosure and relay of video, audio, and flight control information between the CM and a central monitoring center and/or emergency personnel. A drone with a top and bottom profile design allowing numerous drones to be stacked upon one another and store in the DDP. When the DDP enclosure is in an open position, a drone or stack of drones may initiate a flight from the DDP and to re-dock the drone or stack of drones when the flight is completed, the enclosure may be closed to protect the drone or stack of drones.