Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination. One of the methods includes determining, by an electronic system in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an estimated fuel remaining in the UAV. An estimated fuel consumption of the UAV is determined. Estimated information associated with wind affecting the UAV is determined using information obtained from sensors included in the UAV. Estimated flights times remaining for a current path, and one or more alternative flight paths, are determined using the determined estimated fuel remaining, determined estimated fuel consumption, determined information associated wind, and information describing each flight path. In response to the electronic system determining that the estimated fuel remaining, after completion of the current flight path, would be below a first threshold, an alternative flight path is selected.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination. One of the methods includes determining, by an electronic system in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an estimated fuel remaining in the UAV. An estimated fuel consumption of the UAV is determined. Estimated information associated with wind affecting the UAV is determined using information obtained from sensors included in the UAV. Estimated flights times remaining for a current path, and one or more alternative flight paths, are determined using the determined estimated fuel remaining, determined estimated fuel consumption, determined information associated wind, and information describing each flight path. In response to the electronic system determining that the estimated fuel remaining, after completion of the current flight path, would be below a first threshold, an alternative flight path is selected.

In at least some implementations, a method of controlling a vehicle-based drone includes determining a need for secondary navigation data within a sensing area of one or more vehicle sensors, commanding the drone to depart from the vehicle, receiving at the vehicle secondary navigation data from the drone, and operating the vehicle at least in part as a function of the secondary navigation data.

A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving an indication of presence of an aircraft in a vicinity of an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) which is flying along a flight path. The method also includes decelerating, based on the received indication, the UAV to reduce a ground speed along the flight path. The method additionally includes descending, after reducing the ground speed, the UAV to a hover position. The method further includes determining, while the UAV is in the hover position, whether to resume the flight path or to land the UAV based on a determination of continued presence of the aircraft in the vicinity of the UAV. The method also includes controlling the UAV based on the determination of whether to resume the flight path or to land the UAV.

Particular embodiments described herein provide for modular device assemblies and methods for enabling maintenance and servicing, particularly by an unmanned aerial vehicle. A device assembly comprises a plurality of modules, each module having control circuitry, a communications port and contact points to couple the modules. When the modules are coupled, the communications ports are connected to create a bus for communications between the modules. The modular device structure where modules are removable and replaceable allows for an unmanned aerial vehicle to perform maintenance on the device.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to.

An unmanned helicopter platform includes a fuselage, a tail coupled with the fuselage, a payload rail coupled with and extending along the fuselage and a main rotor assembly coupled with the fuselage. The tail includes a tail rotor and a tail rotor motor. The tail is removably coupled to the fuselage. The main rotor assembly includes a main rotor having an axis of rotation and a main rotor motor.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for drone navigation within a property. A method includes detecting an obstacle in a navigation path of a drone, determining a classification of the obstacle, determining whether to temporarily land based on the classification of the obstacle, and temporarily landing the drone until the obstacle clears the navigation path of the drone.

An aerial vehicle includes a communication unit configured to receive a wireless signal from a geo-fencing device, and a flight controller configured to generate one or more control signals that cause the aerial vehicle to operate in accordance with a set of flight regulations generated based on the wireless signal. The geo-fencing device is configured not for landing of the aerial vehicle. The set of flight regulations includes rules for controlling at least one of the aerial vehicle, a carrier carried by the aerial vehicle, or a payload of the aerial vehicle.

Provided is a determination device that includes a usage plan acquisition unit that acquires a usage plan of a corridor formed for navigation of a drone, a storage unit that stores reservation information of the corridor, a calculation unit that calculates a determination parameter relating to congestion in the corridor corresponding to the usage plan by referring to the reservation information, a prediction unit that predicts a congestion status of the corridor according to the calculated determination parameter, a determination unit that generates determination information relating to availability of the corridor according to the predicted congestion status of the corridor, and an output unit that outputs the determination information relating to availability of the corridor.