An obstacle avoidance method is applicable to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV includes binocular cameras. The the obstacle avoidance method includes: acquiring a binocular direction corresponding to each binocular camera, each binocular direction being corresponding to obstacle sectors; detecting an obstacle distance of each of obstacle sectors corresponding to each binocular direction; determining an obstacle distance in each binocular direction according to the obstacle distance of each of obstacle sectors corresponding to each binocular direction; and determining an obstacle avoidance policy according to the obstacle distance in each binocular direction with reference to a flight direction of the UAV. By determining the obstacle distance in each binocular direction, and then determining the obstacle avoidance policy with reference to the flight direction of the UAV, the obstacle avoidance success rate of the UAV is improved.

An obstacle avoidance method is applicable to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV includes binocular cameras. The the obstacle avoidance method includes: acquiring a binocular direction corresponding to each binocular camera, each binocular direction being corresponding to obstacle sectors; detecting an obstacle distance of each of obstacle sectors corresponding to each binocular direction; determining an obstacle distance in each binocular direction according to the obstacle distance of each of obstacle sectors corresponding to each binocular direction; and determining an obstacle avoidance policy according to the obstacle distance in each binocular direction with reference to a flight direction of the UAV. By determining the obstacle distance in each binocular direction, and then determining the obstacle avoidance policy with reference to the flight direction of the UAV, the obstacle avoidance success rate of the UAV is improved.

A landing information determination apparatus according to this example embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a communication unit. The acquisition unit acquires, for each of a plurality of landing places each including a facility on which an aircraft capable of autonomously flying can land, aircraft information being information concerning the aircraft flying in a surrounding area of a landing place, and place information being information concerning the landing place. The determination unit determines a landing place for each of the aircrafts and a flight path to the landing place, based on the aircraft information for each of the aircrafts, and the place information for each of the landing places, which are acquired by the acquisition unit. The communication unit transmits information indicating the landing place and the flight path for each of the aircrafts, which are determined by the determination unit, to the corresponding aircraft.

A landing information determination apparatus according to this example embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a communication unit. The acquisition unit acquires, for each of a plurality of landing places each including a facility on which an aircraft capable of autonomously flying can land, aircraft information being information concerning the aircraft flying in a surrounding area of a landing place, and place information being information concerning the landing place. The determination unit determines a landing place for each of the aircrafts and a flight path to the landing place, based on the aircraft information for each of the aircrafts, and the place information for each of the landing places, which are acquired by the acquisition unit. The communication unit transmits information indicating the landing place and the flight path for each of the aircrafts, which are determined by the determination unit, to the corresponding aircraft.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ground control point assignment and determination. One of the methods includes receiving information describing a flight plan for the UAV to implement, the flight plan identifying one or more waypoints associated with geographic locations assigned as ground control points. A first waypoint identified in the flight plan is traveled to, and an action to designate a surface at the associated geographic location is designated as a ground control point. Location information associated with the designated surface is stored. The stored location information is provided to an outside system for storage.

Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.

An UAV 1 performs a detachment control to detach a cargo supported by a support portion 117 or connected a connecting portion 118, and thereafter, performs a load detection process of detecting a mechanical load applied to the support portion 117 or the connecting portion 118. And then An UAV 1 performs different control according to the mechanical load, with respect to a movement of the UAV 1 after the detection of the mechanical load.

An UAV 1 performs a detachment control to detach a cargo supported by a support portion 117 or connected a connecting portion 118, and thereafter, performs a load detection process of detecting a mechanical load applied to the support portion 117 or the connecting portion 118. And then An UAV 1 performs different control according to the mechanical load, with respect to a movement of the UAV 1 after the detection of the mechanical load.

Systems, devices, and methods for stopping the rotation of propellers used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) such as drones are disclosed. The propellers are stopped in response to detecting when beams of light adjacent the propellers are blocked.

A control device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a control method therefor are provided. The control device includes a sensing device, an image receiver, a control transmitter, a display, and a processor. The sensing device is used to sense an action of the user. The image receiver is used to receive an image including at least a part or all of the body in the UAV from a first image capturing device of the UAV. The processor uses the display to continuously present the image. The processor obtains the action by the sensing device, converts the action into the control signal corresponding to the UAV, and transmits the control signal to the UAV through the control transmitter. The UAV is controlled by the control signal transmitted by the control device.