An unmanned aerial vehicle system includes a ground station, a tether assembly coupled to the ground station, and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle having a quick release mechanism selectively coupled to the tether assembly to restrain movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The quick release mechanism is electrically actuatable to decouple the tether assembly from the unmanned aerial vehicle for enabling the unmanned aerial vehicle to fly freely.

Provided is a transportation system comprising a hybrid vehicle that is propelled on a highway by a linear induction electric motor comprising a stationary motor element (“stator”) and a moving motor element (“rotor”), where the stator is incorporated into a groove in the highway and the rotor is incorporated into the hybrid vehicle and protrudes into the groove in the highway; and where the hybrid vehicle further comprises at least one wing that elevates the hybrid vehicle when propelled to a take-off speed on the highway. Methods of transportation utilizing this hybrid vehicle transportation system are further provided.

Systems and methods for automatically identifying and ascertaining an estimated amount of damage at a location by utilizing one or more autonomous vehicles, e.g., “drone” devices, to autonomously capture data of the location and utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic modules to analyze the captured data and construct a 3-D model of the location.

Systems and methods are disclosed for implanting a dual-kite aerial vehicle including a first kite apparatus, a second kite apparatus, and a tether extending between the first and second kite apparatuses. In particular, the disclosed systems include a first kite apparatus including a first flight controller that maintains flight at a first altitude. The disclosed system further includes a second kite apparatus including a second flight controller that maintains flight at a second altitude. The flight controllers can cooperatively maintain a gradient air movement between the first and second altitudes by extending or retracting the tether to modify a difference in the air movements between the first and second kite apparatuses. The systems described herein additionally include components for generating electrical energy from the gradient air movement to extend a flight time of the dual-kite aerial vehicle.

An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a flight system, a wireless communication system, a processor, and a power system having a battery and a battery charging port. The power system may be operable to power the flight system, the wireless communication system, and the processor. The processor may be configured to operate the flight system to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle from a ground position to an in-air position while the battery charging port is attached to an air-to-ground tether, trigger a release of the air-to-ground tether from the battery charging port after determining the unmanned aerial vehicle has reached the in-air position and the battery is charged, and operate the flight system to execute a flight pattern while operating the wireless communication system to search for a wireless communication device.

A method of using a bagged power generation system comprising windbags and waterbags integrated with drones and adapting drone technologies for harnessing wind and water power to produce electricity. An extremely scalable and environmentally friendly method, system, apparatus, equipment, techniques and ecosystem configured to produce renewable green energy with high productivity and efficiency.

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.

Systems and methods for automatically identifying and ascertaining an estimated amount of damage at a location by utilizing one or more autonomous vehicles, e.g., “drone” devices, to autonomously capture data of the location and utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic modules to analyze the captured data and construct a 3-D model of the location.

A method includes navigating, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), to a first altitude above a first delivery point at a delivery location. The method further includes determining, by the UAV, a second delivery point at the delivery location. The method includes navigating, by the UAV, through a descending trajectory to move the UAV from the first altitude above the first delivery point to a second altitude above the second delivery point at the delivery location. The second altitude is lower than the first altitude. The method additionally includes delivering, by the UAV, a payload to the second delivery point at the delivery location. The method includes after delivering the payload, navigating, by the UAV, through an ascending trajectory to move the UAV from a third altitude above the second delivery point to a fourth altitude above the first delivery point. The fourth altitude is higher than the third altitude.

A system including a drone, a wire and a docking station allowing the autonomous landing of the drone in degraded conditions. The docking station including a landing platform. The landing procedure includes stopping the automatic position control of the drone, producing a motor thrust higher than the weight of the drone, the automatic control of the attitude of the drone, and pulling upon the wire in order to bring the drone back to the platform. This system makes emergency landings possible, or landings under violent winds, or when the docking station is in movement on a vehicle, reducing material breakage.