Systems and methods for spooling and unspooling linear material

A reel apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction;
• a brake configured to oppose rotation of the spool member in the unspooling direction when the brake is engaged;
• and
• a controller configured to control engagement of the brake to vary a degree to which the brake opposes the rotation of the spool member based on detecting a change in a pulling force applied to the linear material.

A reel apparatus comprising:

• a spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction;
• and
• a motor configured to selectively rotate the spool member in the unspooling direction, and to operate at a motor duty cycle which depends on a rate of increase in a rotational velocity of the motor such that when the rotational velocity of the motor has a first non-zero rate of increase the motor operates at a first motor duty cycle and when the rotational velocity of the motor has a second non-zero rate of increase higher than the first rate of increase the motor operates at a second motor duty cycle that is greater than the first motor duty cycle,
• wherein the rotational velocity of the motor depends on a tension applied to the linear material.

A reel apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable spool member configured to deploy a linear material as the spool member rotates in an unspooling direction;
• a motor configured to cause the spool member to rotate in the unspooling direction;
• and
• a controller configured to control the motor while the motor is causing the spool member to deploy the linear material, so as to vary a rotational velocity of the motor in the unspooling direction from a first non-zero rate to a second non-zero rate based on an indication of the rotational velocity of the motor.