Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle modular command priority determination and filtering system. One of the methods includes enabling control of the UAV by a first control source that provides modular commands to the UAV, each modular command being a command associated with performance of one or more actions by the UAV. Modular commands from a second control source requesting control of the UAV are received. The second control source is determined to be in control of the UAV based on priority information associated with each control source. Control of the UAV is enabled by the second control source, and modular commands are implemented.

Thrust values for motors in an aircraft are generated where each flight controller in a plurality of flight controllers generates a thrust value for each motor in a plurality of motors using an optimization problem with a single solution. Each flight controller in the plurality of flight controllers passes one of the generated thrust values to a corresponding motor in the plurality of motors, where other generated thrust values for that flight controller terminate at that flight controller. The plurality of motors perform the passed thrust values.

Aerial vehicles, their structures and methods of locomotion are described. An aerial vehicle may include a fuselage having an x-axis, a plurality of flexible structures emanating from the fuselage that take the form of a feather, wing and/or tentacle, at least one motor, and at least one propeller driven by one or more motors. Each flexible structure may extend from a fuselage in any direction and are used to enhance the observability of the aircraft by moving and/or oscillating within a frequency band and at a magnitude that is more easily observed by and catches the human eye.

An information processing device (100) includes a calculation unit (113) that calculates an amount of change in a landing point of a landing point position to which a current swing leg of a robotic apparatus (1) including one or more legs to land next from a planned landing point position, and an amount of change in the center of pressure of a position of the center of pressure to be generated by a current ground contact leg of the robotic apparatus (1) from a position of a target center of pressure, and a drive control unit (114) that controls an attitude and movement of the robotic apparatus (1), based on at least one of the amount of change in the landing point or the amount of change in the center of pressure, calculated by the calculation unit (113).

An information processing device (100) includes a calculation unit (113) that calculates an amount of change in a landing point of a landing point position to which a current swing leg of a robotic apparatus (1) including one or more legs to land next from a planned landing point position, and an amount of change in the center of pressure of a position of the center of pressure to be generated by a current ground contact leg of the robotic apparatus (1) from a position of a target center of pressure, and a drive control unit (114) that controls an attitude and movement of the robotic apparatus (1), based on at least one of the amount of change in the landing point or the amount of change in the center of pressure, calculated by the calculation unit (113).

The invention is intended for organizing the process of targeted delivery of small doses of liquid chemical treatment agents from unmanned aerial vehicles, for example, in precision agriculture or animal husbandry. Delivery of the required dose of liquid chemical treatment agents to the required application area by series of one or more targeted ejections of a continuous, and optimally laminar, jet from the unmanned aerial vehicle in flight, according to the method and/or delivery system according to the invention, is performed without significant deflection of the liquid and its losses outside the application area compared to known methods and spraying devices, and, therefore, more environmentally friendly and economical; and the application system has a minimal negative impact on the application areas and ensures the motion of unmanned aerial vehicles along optimal and safe routes.

The invention is intended for organizing the process of targeted delivery of small doses of liquid chemical treatment agents from unmanned aerial vehicles, for example, in precision agriculture or animal husbandry. Delivery of the required dose of liquid chemical treatment agents to the required application area by series of one or more targeted ejections of a continuous, and optimally laminar, jet from the unmanned aerial vehicle in flight, according to the method and/or delivery system according to the invention, is performed without significant deflection of the liquid and its losses outside the application area compared to known methods and spraying devices, and, therefore, more environmentally friendly and economical; and the application system has a minimal negative impact on the application areas and ensures the motion of unmanned aerial vehicles along optimal and safe routes.

Systems, methods, and computer program products for controlling a drone using a tether. A drone is coupled to a distal end of the tether, and a force sensor measures one or more force parameters exerted on the drone by the tether. The force parameters are in turn used to generate control parameters, and the control parameters provided to a flight controller. The flight controller generates one or more propulsion parameters based on the control parameters, and provides the propulsion parameters to respective propulsion units of the drone. The drone can thereby be controlled by manipulating a proximate end of the tether, which changes the force parameters measured by the force sensor.

Systems, methods, and computer program products for controlling a drone using a tether. A drone is coupled to a distal end of the tether, and a force sensor measures one or more force parameters exerted on the drone by the tether. The force parameters are in turn used to generate control parameters, and the control parameters provided to a flight controller. The flight controller generates one or more propulsion parameters based on the control parameters, and provides the propulsion parameters to respective propulsion units of the drone. The drone can thereby be controlled by manipulating a proximate end of the tether, which changes the force parameters measured by the force sensor.

Methods and systems for controlling a bank angle, a heading angle and an altitude of an aircraft during flight are provided. The methods and systems disclosed herein make use of sliding mode control and feedback linearization control (nonlinear dynamic control) techniques. The methods and systems can provide autopilot-type functions that can autonomously execute aggressive maneuvers as well as more gentle maneuvers for aircraft.