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.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

A transportation network is provided that utilizes autonomous vehicles (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles) for identifying, acquiring, and transporting items between network locations without requiring human interaction. A travel path for an item through the transportation network may include a passing of the item from one autonomous vehicle to another or otherwise utilizing different autonomous vehicles for transporting the item along different path segments (e.g., between different network locations). Different possible travel paths through the transportation network may be evaluated, and a travel path for an item may be selected based on transportation factors such as travel time, cost, safety, etc., which may include consideration of information regarding current conditions (e.g., related to network congestion, inclement weather, etc.). Autonomous vehicles of different sizes, carrying capacities, travel ranges, travel speeds, etc. may be utilized for further improving the flexibility and efficiency of the system for transporting items.

A system for video imaging and photographing using an autonomous aerial platform. The system may be a quad rotor system using electrically powered propellers. The aerial platform may be commanded by the user to follow an object of interest. The aerial platform may have multiple configurations for its thrust units such that they are clear of the field of view of the imaging device in a first configuration, such that they protect the imaging device during landing in a second configuration, and that allows for efficient storage in a stowed configuration.

An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising an outer protective cage, a propulsion system mounted inside the outer protective cage, a sensor support system fixed on the outer protective cage and a sensor system coupled to the sensor support system. The sensor system is coupled to the sensor support system via a load-limiting coupling mechanism that comprises a spring coupling exerting an elastic bias against the sensor system towards a normal operating position, the sensor system being retractable into the outer protective cage against the elastic bias of the spring coupling upon collision with an external object.

Various embodiments of a variable geometry quadrotor with a compliant frame are disclosed, which adapts to tight spaces and obstacles by way of passive rotation of its arms.

Various embodiments of a variable geometry quadrotor with a compliant frame are disclosed, which adapts to tight spaces and obstacles by way of passive rotation of its arms.

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 propeller guard 2 includes: a propeller guard body 10 configured to surround a propeller 30 of a flight vehicle 20; and a repulsive member 40 provided to protrude on the propeller guard body 10 and including a first end and a second end to exert repulsive force outward from the propeller guard body 10, in which the first end 41 of the repulsive member is located outside an outer edge of the propeller guard body 10 as viewed from vertically above.

A propeller guard 2 includes: a propeller guard body 10 configured to surround a propeller 30 of a flight vehicle 20; and a repulsive member 40 provided to protrude on the propeller guard body 10 and including a first end and a second end to exert repulsive force outward from the propeller guard body 10, in which the first end 41 of the repulsive member is located outside an outer edge of the propeller guard body 10 as viewed from vertically above.