A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within a flight operating space. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes one or more sensor arrays on each spar. The method includes determining, using a plurality of sensor arrays, a flight path for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method also includes receiving, by at least one sensor array of the plurality of sensor arrays, sensor data identifying at least one object in the operating space. The sensor data is transmitted over a communications bus connecting components of the UAV. The method further includes determining, by one or more processors onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight path around the at least one object. The method also includes generating, by the one or more onboard processors, a first signal to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to navigate within the operating space around the at least one object.

Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV.

The present invention relates generally to a system for automatically positioning a drone (1) on a landing/take-off site (2) comprising a landing area defined by an outer boundary, wherein the system is configured to position and align a drone (1), landed at any location on the landing area, at a predetermined position on the landing area, wherein the system comprises a rope sling (5) which, in its initial position, extends substantially along the outer boundary of the landing area, and the ends of which are connected to a rope winch (6) located near or at the predetermined position, so that the rope sling can be retracted when the rope winch is actuated, and wherein the drone is provided with engagement means (3, 4) configured to be engageable with the rope sling (5) when the rope sling (5) is retracted, so that the drone (1) is pulled to the predetermined position and is correctly aligned at the predetermined position upon further retraction of the rope sling (5).

Disclosed herein are aspects of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In one embodiment, the UAV includes a container body having a cargo bay configured to hold cargo, and a plurality of rotor assemblies coupled to the container body. Each rotor assembly is configured to provide the container body with propulsion. A control system may be held by the container body and operatively connected to the rotor assemblies. The control system may be configured to fly the container body to a destination. The rotor assemblies may be moveable between a flight configuration and a shipping configuration. In the flight configuration, the rotor assemblies may extend outward from the container body such that the rotor assemblies are positioned to propel the container body through the air. In the shipping configuration, the rotor assemblies may be folded to the container body such that the container body is configured to be shipped to a destination.

Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful in retail store inventory storage and retrieval. Some embodiments provide systems, comprising: a rack system positioned above a dropdown ceiling and extending over the sales floor, and comprising: a plurality of racks, a rail system and the plurality of access passages; a plurality of unmanned vehicles; a plurality of access stations, wherein the access stations physically cooperate with one of the access passages; each rack comprises storage cells to receive a reusable tote; and wherein the central control circuit is configured to receive a request for a first product, identify a first access station, access the inventory tracking system to identify a first storage cell in which the first product is stored, identify an available unmanned vehicle, and communicate to the unmanned vehicle directing the unmanned vehicle to retrieve the tote and transport the tote to the first access station.

Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

Many different types of systems are utilized or tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of unmanned vehicles, or drones, that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more unmanned vehicles can be integrated with a dedicated marine electronic device of a marine vessel for autonomous control and operation. Additionally or alternatively, the unmanned vehicle can be manually remote operated during use in the marine environment. Such unmanned vehicles can be utilized in many different marine environment systems or tasks, including, for example, navigation, sonar, radar, search and rescue, video streaming, alert functionality, among many others. However, as contemplated by the present invention, the marine environment provides many unique challenges that may be accounted for with operation and control of an unmanned vehicle.

An unmanned aerial vehicle station includes a takeoff-landing unit for an unmanned aerial vehicle to take off and land, a parcel receiver, a parcel deliverer, a storage that stores a plurality of parcels, a replenishment hangar that houses a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles and replenishes the housed plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles with energy, a parcel transporter that transports the plurality of parcels between the parcel receiver and the storage and between the parcel deliverer and the storage, and an aircraft transporter that transports the plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles between the takeoff-landing unit and the replenishment hangar.

A control device 133 acquires distance information indicating a distance between an UAV 1 and an article B positioned under the UAV 1 and controls a winch 16 to unreel a linear member 15 on the basis of the distance indicated in the acquired distance information.

A payload retrieval apparatus including a structure having an outwardly facing portion, a payload support member adapted for having a payload positioned thereon, one or more magnets or a metal positioned on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure adapted to magnetically engage one or more magnets or a metal positioned on a payload retriever attached to a tether suspended from a UAV, wherein when the payload is positioned on the payload support member, the payload support member is movable to position a handle of the payload adjacent the one or more magnets or the metal on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure.