Methods and systems for transportation using unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for transporting a payload is provided. The UAV comprises a body and one or more propellers rotatably connected to the body. The UAV further comprises a battery mounted to the body. The battery is releasable from the bottom of the UAV. The UAV further comprises a payload container mounted to the body. The payload container is releasable from the bottom of the UAV to a landing platform associated with a UAV station.

1 . A system for emergency landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 one or more sensors configured to monitor operation of the UAV;   a controller configured to:
 determine whether an emergency landing signal is generated, wherein the emergency landing signal is generated in response to data provided by the one or more sensors indicating one or more conditions for emergency landing have been satisfied, and 
 deploy an emergency landing mechanism after generating the emergency landing signal; and 
   a battery manager configured to provide power to the controller for emergency landings.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conditions for emergency landing include a mid-air collision, and a mechanical or electrical failure of the UAV. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a secondary power supply, separate and distinct from a power supply configured to power a propulsion system of the UAV, wherein the battery manager is configured to provide power to the controller using power from the secondary power supply.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the secondary power supply unit is configured to supply power to one or more systems of the UAV during replacement of the primary power supply. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the primary power supply to reduce or eliminate power to a propulsion system of the UAV prior to deploying the emergency landing system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the battery manager is configured to provide power to the secondary power supply from the primary power supply. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to takeover navigation of the UAV in response to a failure of an autopilot or navigation system of the UAV using data provided by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the UAV is over a safe landing spot prior to deploying the emergency landing mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more inertial sensors. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the emergency landing mechanism is a parachute. 
     
     
         11 . An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 a propulsion system;   a primary power supply configured to power the propulsion system;   an emergency landing system, comprising:
 one or more sensors configured to monitor operation of the UAV; 
 a secondary power supply electrically coupled to the primary power supply; 
 a controller configured to:
 determine whether an emergency landing signal is generated, wherein the emergency landing signal is generated in response to data provided by the one or more sensors indicating one or more conditions for emergency landing have been satisfied, and 
 deploy an emergency landing mechanism after generating the emergency landing signal; and 
 
   a battery manager configured to provide power to the controller from the secondary power supply for emergency landings.   
     
     
         12 . The UAV of  claim 11 , wherein the battery manager is configured to transfer power from the primary power supply to the secondary power supply. 
     
     
         13 . The UAV of  claim 12 , wherein the primary power supply has a larger capacity than the secondary power supply. 
     
     
         14 . The UAV of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more conditions for emergency landing comprise a mid-air collision, a change in weather sufficient to prevent flight completion, mechanical failure and electrical failure of the UAV. 
     
     
         15 . The UAV of  claim 11 , wherein the emergency landing mechanism is a parachute and wherein the controller is further configured to delay deployment of the parachute until the UAV is positioned over a suitable place for landing. 
     
     
         16 . A method for initiating an emergency landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 detecting whether one or more conditions for triggering the emergency landing have been satisfied using one or more sensors on-board the UAV;   generating an emergency landing signal in response to detecting satisfaction of the one or more conditions; and   deploying an emergency landing mechanism using power provided by a secondary power supply of the UAV.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising searching for and navigating to a safe landing location prior to deploying the emergency landing mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein an emergency landing system of the UAV comprises a controller, separate and distinct from a primary flight controller of the UAV, that is configured to search for and at least assist in navigating to the safe landing location. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising changing a flight profile of the UAV prior to deploying the emergency landing mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising charging the secondary power supply using power generated by a primary power supply configured to power a propulsion system of the UAV.