A method and apparatus for scalable and fast deployment of drones are presented. The method is based on packing multiple drones within a cell structure that provides means for changing, communication and fast deployment of drones as well as environmental protection. Multiple cells can be combined the further scale up the number and rate of drones being deployed. In a preferable arrangement, individual drones are equipped with special contacts that allow them to connect to the cell and optionally with other drones for power supply, diagnostic and communication.

A response system may be provided. The response system may include an autonomous drone. The autonomous drone may include a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, and a sensor. The processor may be programmed to build a virtual map of a coverage area, store the virtual map in the memory, receive a deployment signal, deploy the drone in response to the deployment signal, control movement of the drone within the coverage area using the virtual map, collect sensor data of the coverage area using the sensor, and/or analyze the sensor data to generate an inventory list of the coverage area, the inventory list including a personal article within the coverage area.

The disclosure provides an approach for performing inspections. An image analysis application is configured to receive sensor data captured at least by one or more sensors mounted on a first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying along at least one programmed flight pattern. The image analysis application is further configured to normalize the sensor data, and determine anomalies based, at least in part, on differences between the normalized sensor data and sensor data previously captured at least by one or more sensors mounted on a second UAV flying along the at least one programmed flight pattern. In addition, the image analysis application is configured to generate a report indicating the determined anomalies.

A system for detecting trace-gas includes an optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and processing circuitry. The optical sensor includes a plurality of interferometers configured to collect samples. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a digitized signal based on the samples, apply a forward Fourier-transform on the digitized signal to generate spectrum information for the plurality of interferometers, and determine a gas species has been detected using one or more intensity of absorption features of the spectrum information corresponding to the gas species from the spectrum information.

Provided is a method and an apparatus for installing and replacing a lighting controller of an outdoor lighting fixture that includes a base portion supplying power, a telescopic stick portion attached to the base portion at a first end thereof, an extension stick portion attached to a second end of the telescopic stick portion, and a drone-type device attached to the extension stick portion at an end opposite telescopic stick portion. The drone-type device receives power from the base portion through the telescopic stick portion and travels over and land at a top surface of the outdoor lighting fixture and perform installation or replacement of the lighting controller.

Systems and methods for utility infrastructure condition monitoring, detection, and response are disclosed. One exemplary system includes a sensor package and a monitoring and control module. The sensor package includes a plurality of sensors such as, for example, an image sensor, a video sensor, and a LiDAR sensor. The sensors may each be configured to capture data indicative of one or more conditions (e.g., an environmental condition, a structural condition, etc.) in the vicinity of the utility infrastructure. The monitoring and control includes a detection module and an alert module. The detection module is configured to receive data captured by each sensor and, based on the captured data, determine one or more conditions in the vicinity of the utility infrastructure. The detection module may be configured to then, based on the determined conditions, provide an alert for the condition using the alert module.

A system for construction management including a device having at least one processor and a memory storing at least one program for execution by the at least one processor, the at least one program including instructions, when, executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving as input an electronic version of a document; identifying at least one string of data from the electronic version of the document; mapping the identified at least one string of data to a predetermined unitary database including at least one key string of data associated with at least one key event; tagging the mapped and identified at least one string of data with a tag associated with the at least one key string of data associated with the at least one key event; and transmitting a signal based on the tagged, mapped, and identified at least one string of data. Related methods, devices, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

An unmanned aerial vehicle having a dynamic balance system that comprises a moveable battery support to secure a vehicle battery to the vehicle, the moveable battery support being attached to an actuator that will shift the moveable battery support relative to the vehicle body under the control of an electronic controller during vehicle operations to help maintain the balance and orientation of the vehicle.

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a base station. The method includes establishing a wireless communication with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), determining that the UAV has landed in a first area of the base station, controlling a first power device of the base station to move in a first direction to control a guiding mechanism of the base station to move toward a transferring device of the base station to push the UAV onto the transferring device, and controlling a second power device to move in a second direction to control a movement of the transferring device to transport the UAV to an operating platform.

Method for inspecting and/or manipulating a beam at a lower side of a roof or deck, the beam including a strip, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, wherein the UAV comprises a body, a number of rotors, a first arm; and an inspection and/or manipulation tool; while the first arm is in the first position, flying the UAV towards the beam; when the UAV contacts the beam, moving the first arm from the first position to the second position such that the end of the first arm is moved to a position vertically above the strip; reduce the propulsion force until the UAV hangs from the beam with the end of the arm in contact with and supported by the strip; and inspecting and/or manipulating the beam, using the inspection and/or manipulation tool, while the UAV hangs from the beam.