A shelf space allocation management device manages products allocated on shelves aligned in a store by use of an image captured by an imaging device. The shelf space allocation management device acquires an image including a position assumed to be changed in allocation status of each product on each shelf; it determines whether the type and the allocation status of each product reflected in the image match the predetermined type and the predetermined allocation status; then, it determines whether to execute a product allocation inspection based on the determination result. Herein, the shelf space allocation management device specifies a position at which a person conducts a behavior to cause any change in the allocation status of each product on each shelf, and therefore it may control the imaging device to capture an image including the position. It is possible to carry out a product allocation inspection for each period determined in advance depending on the type of each product, or it is possible to carry out a product allocation inspection being triggered by a customer purchasing each product.

A shelf space allocation management device manages products allocated on shelves aligned in a store by use of an image captured by an imaging device. The shelf space allocation management device acquires an image including a position assumed to be changed in allocation status of each product on each shelf, it determines whether the type and the allocation status of each product reflected in the image match the predetermined type and the predetermined allocation status; then, it determines whether to execute a product allocation inspection based on the determination result. Herein, the shelf space allocation management device specifies a position at which a person conducts a behavior to cause any change in the allocation status of each product on each shelf, and therefore it may control the imaging device to capture an image including the position. It is possible to carry out a product allocation inspection for each period determined in advance depending on the type of each product, or it is possible to carry out a product allocation inspection being triggered by a customer purchasing each product.

A differential thrust vectoring system including a first thruster rotation assembly configured to rotate a first thruster relative of an aircraft, a second thruster rotation assembly configured to rotate a second thruster of an aircraft, and an actuator. The system is configured such that actuation of the actuator causes disparate rotation about the tilt axis of the first and second thrusters.

A method of providing communication coverage includes collecting a location of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while the UAV is flying along a flight path, determining a communication signal distribution in a proximity of the location, determining one or more locations for arranging one or more relays based on the communication signal distribution to improve communication coverage along the flight path, and instructing the UAV to communicate with a user terminal via at least one of the one or more relays when the UAV is determined, based on the communication signal distribution, to be incapable of directly communicating with the user terminal at a predetermined minimum quality level.

An energy absorbing landing system for an aircraft having a fuselage includes landing legs rotatably coupled to the fuselage configured to outwardly rotate when receiving a landing load having a magnitude. The energy absorbing landing system also includes an energy absorption unit coupled to the fuselage and cables coupling the energy absorption unit to the landing legs. The energy absorption unit is configured to selectively apply a resistance to the outward rotation of the landing legs via the cables based on the magnitude of the landing load, thereby absorbing the landing load when the aircraft lands.

A helicopter includes a gimbal assembly, a first rotor assembly, a second rotor assembly, a fuselage, and a controller. The first rotor assembly, the second rotor assembly, and the fuselage are mechanically coupled to the gimbal assembly. The first rotor assembly includes a first rotor and the second rotor assembly includes a second rotor, the first rotor including a plurality of first fixed-pitch blades and the second rotor including a plurality of second fixed-pitch blades. Each of the plurality of first and the second fixed-pitch blades are coupled to a hub of its respective rotor via a hinge mechanism that is configured to allow each of the fixed-pitch blades to pivot from a first position to a second position, the first position being substantially parallel to the fuselage and the second position being substantially perpendicular to the fuselage.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a helicopter-mediated system and method for launching and retrieving an aircraft capable of long-distance efficient cruising flight from a small space without the use of a long runway.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for transporting items between locations includes a frame and a propulsion system coupled to the frame, the propulsion system including at least one transmission and at least one motor. The UAV also includes a load support area of the frame, the load support area comprising at least one of a different material than the frame or structural supports.

Embodiments are directed to solid lubricant assemblies for providing over temperature protection for bearings and gears in rotorcraft systems. A solid lubricant enters a fluid state above a certain temperature and is positioned so that fluid lubricant is applied to the bearings or gears.

A rotor system for aerial vehicles where two or more rotor systems are used in a coaxial or tandem arrangement on the aerial vehicle.