OPENTECHNICAL PUBLICATION
OT-2026-000000505

UAV Autoloader Systems and Methods

Published: 2026-09-15T19:02:59.453780Z
Permanent URL: https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000000505
Categories: Sensors, Controls & Machine Vision > Industrial Control

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ABSTRACT

A method includes determining, by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a position
of an autoloader device for the UAV; based on the determined position of the
autoloader device, causing the UAV to follow a descent trajectory in which the
UAV moves from a starting position to a first nudged position in order to
deploy a tethered pickup component of the UAV to a payout position on an
approach side of the autoloader device; deploying the tethered pickup
component of the UAV to the payout position; causing the UAV to follow a
side-step trajectory in which the UAV moves laterally to a second nudged
position in order to cause the tethered pickup component of the UAV to engage
the autoloader device; and retracting the tethered pickup component of the UAV
to pick up a payload from the autoloader device.

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OpenTechnical publication OT-2026-000000505
Published 2026-09-15T19:02:59.453780Z
https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000000505