Unmanned Innovation, Inc.

Robotire, Inc.

Skydio, Inc.

Bauer, Mark

Michini, Bernard J.

Downey, Jonathan

Darolfi, Victor

Baranowski, Robert

Jonathan Downey

Bernard J Michini

Mark Patrick Bauer

Victor Darolfi

Robert Baranowski

Brian Richman

Donald Curry Weigel

Joseph Moster

James E Ogden

Edward Dale Steakley

James Ogden

A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.

Modular flight management system incorporating an autopilot

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations that include obtaining flight information of the UAV; determining one or more modifications based on the flight information; and transmitting data messages over data buses based on the one or more modifications.

Distributed unmanned aerial vehicle architecture

Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle flight for performing an inspection of land, property, structures or other objects. Automated aerial surveys allow a UAV to obtain aerial data without human manual control of a UAV. For certain aerial surveys, a UAV is not capable of completing the survey without refueling, or exchanging out used batteries for fresh batteries. For such aerial surveys, a method and system is needed to allow an operator to automatically perform an aerial survey while determining battery usage and replacement. Also, in circumstances where manual control of the UAV is needed, contingency-based software controls may be needed.

Unmanned aerial vehicle flight control system

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.

Unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Automated removal and placement of vehicle wheels and tires

Automated removal and replacement of vehicle wheels and tires

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a distributed system architecture for unmanned air vehicles. One of the methods includes obtaining information identifying flight information of a UAV, with the flight information including flight phase information or a contingency condition associated with a flight critical module included in the UAV. The obtained information is analyzed, and one or more first payload modules are determined to enter a modified power state. Requests to enter the modified power state are caused to be transmitted to each determined payload module in the one or more first payload modules.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Jonathan Downey