Example implementations relate to a method of dynamically updating a transport task of a UAV. The method includes receiving, at a transport-provider computing system, an item provider request for transportation of a plurality of packages from a loading location at a given future time. The method also includes assigning, by the transport-provider computing system, a respective transport task to each of a plurality of UAVs, where the respective transport task comprises an instruction to deploy to the loading location to pick up one or more of the plurality of packages. Further, the method includes identifying, by the transport-provider system, a first package while or after a first UAV picks up the first package. Yet further, the method includes based on the identifying of the first package, providing, by the transport-provider system, a task update to the first UAV to update the respective transport task of the first UAV.

A method for monitoring an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a processor obtaining a datagram based on monitoring data for a UAV-detector communication between the UAV and one or more detectors. The monitoring data indicates at least one of a location of the UAV or a location of a control station in communication with the UAV. The method further includes determining a risk level by retrieving pre-stored risk information associated with the UAV based on the datagram.

In some examples, a computing device receives, from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a first image from a first camera on the UAV and a plurality of second images from a plurality of second cameras on the UAV. The plurality of second cameras may be positioned on the UAV for providing a plurality of different fields of view in a plurality of different directions around the UAV. Further, the first camera has a longer focal length than the second cameras. The computing device presents, on a display, a composite image including at least a portion of the first image within a merged image generated from the plurality of second images. The presented composite image enables a user to at least one of: zoom out from the at least one first image to the merged image, or zoom in from the merged image to the at least one first image.

An imaging system includes: an unmanned flight vehicle; an imager that is mounted on the unmanned flight vehicle and takes an image of a robot which performs work with respect to a target object; a display structure which is located away from the unmanned flight vehicle and displays the image taken by the imager to a user who manipulates the robot; and circuitry which controls operations of the imager and the unmanned flight vehicle. The circuitry acquires operation related information that is information related to an operation of the robot. The circuitry moves the unmanned flight vehicle such that a position and direction of the imager are changed so as to correspond to the operation related information.

An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

Stability of an unmanned aerial vehicle is sought by using a flight controller of an unmanned aerial vehicle control system for controlling flying by an unmanned aerial vehicle based on an instruction from a first operator. A determiner is used to determine whether a second operator visually recognizes the unmanned aerial vehicle based on a predetermined determination method. A switcher is used to switch, based on a result of the determination obtained by the determiner, from a first state, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle flies in accordance with an instruction from the first operator, to a second state, in which the unmanned aerial vehicle flies in accordance with an instruction from the second operator.

A device and method for remotely controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle based on reinforcement learning are disclosed. An embodiment provides a device for remotely controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle based on reinforcement learning, where the device includes a processor and a memory connected to the processor, and the memory includes program instructions that can be executed by the processor to determine an inclination direction corresponding to the hand pose of a user, the movement direction of the hand, and the angle in the inclination direction based on sensing data associated with the pose of the hand or the movement of the hand acquired by way of at least one sensor, and determine one of a movement direction, a movement speed, a mode change, a figural trajectory, and a scale of the figural trajectory of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the determined inclination direction, movement direction, and angle.

A rotary wing vehicle includes a body structure having an elongated tubular backbone or core, and a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system having rotors with each rotor having a separate motor to drive the rotors about a common rotor axis of rotation. The rotor system is used to move the rotary wing vehicle in directional flight.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a modular and reconfigurable aircraft including a first aircraft module, a second aircraft module, a plurality of connectors, and a coupler. The first aircraft module can include a polyhedral cage structure, a propeller disposed in an interior of the polyhedral cage structure, and a motor disposed in the interior of the polyhedral cage structure and configured to drive the propeller. The second aircraft module can include a polyhedral cage structure, a propeller disposed in the interior of the polyhedral cage structure, and a motor disposed in the interior of the polyhedral cage structure and configured to drive the propeller, a plurality of connectors configured to couple the polyhedral cage structure of the first aircraft module to the polyhedral cage structure of the second aircraft module.

Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.