A high-place observation device for stably performing a fixed-point observation of a target object from a high place is provided. The high-place observation device provides [Solution] Provides a long pole which is formed to extend and contract freely and which stands on the installation surface, a rotorcraft for positioning the pole to a desirable height position by extending and contracting the pole by a floating force in a connected state, a winding mechanism which fixes and maintains the height position of the pole to the height position set by the rotorcraft, and a camera attached to the rotorcraft.

UAV tether systems are provided that reliably deploy and retract cables capable of high-power and high-bandwidth data transmission. The tether system spools cables in a single layer to promote heat dissipation thereby allowing the use of lower-diameter cables. The tether systems further utilize a lightweight converter that achieves a high-voltage power transmission across a cable that is stepped down to a plurality of lower-voltage outputs usable by a UAV and accompanying payloads. The converter is constructed in a manner that promotes heat dissipation through the use of multi-layer PCBs and separate power modules PCBs mounted above main PCBs to create a cavity where forced air can reach heat sinks affixed to the power modules that extend into the cavity.

To provide a flying object in which a working part can be close to an operation target at an appropriate distance the flying object according to the present disclosure includes a flight part including at least a plurality of rotary wings and a motor for driving the rotary wings, a main body elongated in a vertical direction, and a connection part that connects the flight part and the main body in a mutually displaceable manner, wherein a total length of the main body in the vertical direction is at least twice a maximum diameter of the flight part in a horizontal direction. The main body has an upper part that is provided above the connection portion, and a lower portion that is provided below the connection portion, and the length of the upper part is three times or more the length of the lower part.

Methods and apparatus to recover unmanned aerial vehicles with kites are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a tether line to be supported by a kite at a distal end thereof, and a release to deploy and expand a parafoil from at least one of the tether line or the kite in response to the aircraft contacting the tether line.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus to recover an aircraft includes a mast extending from a base, a boom extending from the mast at a first end of the boom to a second end of the boom opposite the first end, a tether line extending between the mast to the base and guided by the boom, a portion of the tether line extending between the second end of the boom and the base, and a mount to operatively coupled the a kite to the tether line, the kite to support the tether line as the aircraft contacts the portion for recovery thereof.

A control system includes a base device to be mounted on a mobile object, an aerial vehicle, a cable including a power supply cable for supplying electric power from the mobile object to the aerial vehicle and connecting the base device with the aerial vehicle, and a control device that controls flight of the aerial vehicle. The control device controls the aerial vehicle so that a relative altitude of the aerial vehicle with respect to the mobile object matches a target relative altitude. This control system optimizes an altitude of the aerial vehicle in accordance with the mobile object.

A buoyant aerial vehicle includes: a balloon configured to store a gas; a payload coupled to the balloon; and a propulsion unit coupled to the payload by a tether. The propulsion unit includes: a fuselage having a substantially longitudinal shape, a first end, and a second end; a primary airfoil coupled to the fuselage; a secondary airfoil coupled to the fuselage at one of the first end or the second end; and a thrust generating device disposed at one of the first end or the second end and configured to move the propulsion unit relative to the payload along a propulsion flight path. The movement of the propulsion unit imparts movement of the buoyant aerial vehicle along a vehicle flight path.

A power supply system for an urban air mobility (UAM) device includes a charging station provided on the ground and including a power cable for supplying power, a UAM power supply mobility device configured to be anchored at the charging station and provided with the power to charge a battery therein or to supply the power to the UAM device separated from the charging station using the power cable while flying with the UAM device, and an auxiliary mobility device configured to control a path of the power cable to keep the power cable in a preset space while flying between the charging station and the UAM power supply mobility device.

An apparatus, including a database which stores a travel itinerary or schedule of an individual; a processor; a global positioning system device; and a transmitter. The processor monitors a movement of the individual, compares information obtained by the global positioning system device with information contained in the travel itinerary or schedule, detects a deviation from an expected position, location, or travel route, and generates a message containing information regarding a date and time of the deviation and position or location information of the apparatus. The transmitter or apparatus transmits the message or information contained in the message to a drone. An operation of the drone is activated, the drone travels to the position or location of the apparatus, records video information of the apparatus or individual or of an area in a vicinity of the apparatus or individual, and transmits the video information to the user device or the computer.

Disclosed is an unmanned, autonomous, cargo transport system comprising at least one towed aircraft coupled to a tractor aircraft for inflight towing.