Indoor mapping and modular control for UAVs and other autonomous vehicles, and associated systems and methods

An unmanned aerial vehicle system, comprising:

• a body;
• a propulsion system carried by the body;
• a sensor system carried by the body;
• a first controller carried at least in part by the body, and operatively coupled to the propulsion system and the sensor system, the first controller being programmed with instructions that, when executed:
• operate in a first autonomous mode, during which the instructions:
• autonomously direct the propulsion system to convey the body along a first route within an indoor environment;
• while the body travels along the first route, receive inputs from the sensor system corresponding to features of the indoor environment;
• and
• store the features of the indoor environment as part of a 3-D map;
• and
• operate in a second autonomous mode during which the instructions:
• direct the propulsion system to convey the body along a second route within the indoor environment, based at least in part on the 3-D map;
• and
• direct performance of an operation on the second route;
• and
• a second controller configured to operably couple to the propulsion system and the sensor system via a wireless communication link.

An unmanned aerial vehicle system, comprising:

• a body;
• a propulsion system carried by the body, the propulsion system including a plurality of propellers;
• a sensor system carried by the body;
• and
• a controller carried at least in part by the body, and operatively coupled to the propulsion system and the sensor system, the controller being programmed with instructions that, when executed:
• operate in a first autonomous mode, during which the instructions:
• receive a destination within an indoor environment;
• determine whether the destination is reachable;
• if the destination is reachable:
• autonomously direct the propulsion system to convey the body to the destination;
• while enroute to the destination, receive inputs from the sensor system to identify an obstacle;
• if an obstacle is detected, direct the propulsion system to convey the body so as to avoid the obstacle;
• while enroute to the destination, receive inputs from the sensor corresponding to features of the indoor location;
• and
• store the features of the indoor location as part of a 3-D map;
• and
• operate in a second autonomous mode during which the instructions:
• receive a series of waypoints;
• serially and autonomously direct the propulsion system to convey the body to the waypoints;
• and
• at individual waypoints, direct the sensor system to carry out an operation.

A method for operating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

• in a first autonomous mode:
• autonomously directing a propulsion system of the UAV to convey the UAV along a first route within an indoor environment;
• while the UAV travels along the first route, receiving inputs from a sensor system of the UAV corresponding to features of the indoor environment;
• and storing the features of the indoor location as part of a 3-D map;
• in a second autonomous mode:
• autonomously directing the propulsion system to convey the UAV along a second route within the indoor environment, based at least in part on the 3-D map;
• and
• directing the UAV to perform an operation along the second route.

An unmanned vehicle system, comprising:

• a modular control unit removably and mechanically connectable to and carryable by, multiple types of unmanned vehicles, wherein the multiple types of unmanned vehicles include at least two from the group comprising unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned land vehicles, and unmanned water vehicles, the control unit including:
• a housing;
• at least one sensor carried by the housing;
• a controller carried by the housing and coupled to the at least one visual sensor;
• and
• a communication link coupled to the processor and releasably coupleable to the multiple types of unmanned vehicles;
• wherein the controller is programmed with instructions that, when executed:
• identify elements in an environment in which the multiple types of unmanned vehicles operate;
• and
• direct motion of the multiple types of unmanned vehicles.

A method for controlling multiple types of unmanned vehicle systems, comprising:

• mechanically connecting a removable modular control unit to a first unmanned vehicle;
• while the modular control unit is carried by the first unmanned vehicle, controlling motion of the first unmanned vehicle via at least one sensor carried by the modular control unit, at least one processor carried by the modular control unit and coupled to the at least one sensor, and a communication link coupled between the modular control unit and the first unmanned vehicle;
• disconnecting the modular control unit from the first unmanned vehicle;
• removing the modular control unit from the first unmanned vehicle;
• mechanically connecting the modular control unit to a second unmanned vehicle, the second unmanned vehicle being of a type different than a type of the first unmanned vehicle, and wherein the types include at least two from the group comprising unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned land vehicles, and unmanned water vehicles;
• coupling the communication link to the second unmanned vehicle;
• and
• while the modular control unit is carried by the second unmanned vehicle, controlling motion of the second unmanned vehicle via the at least one sensor, the at least one processor, and the communication link.