Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle system

A non-transitory computer-readable medium for use with a system comprising:

• a base;
• a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
• a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure;
• and
• a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
• wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon program instructions that when executed cause performance of a set of acts comprising:
• detecting abnormal operation of the UAV;
• and
• responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.

A method for use with for use with a system comprising:

• a base;
• a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
• a deployable cushioning-device coupled to the elongate structure;
• and
• a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);
• wherein the method comprises:
• detecting abnormal operation of the UAV;
• and
• responsive to detecting abnormal operation of the UAV, causing the deployable cushioning-device to deploy.

A system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system comprising:

• a base;
• a vertically-oriented elongate structure comprising a lower end and an upper end, wherein the elongate structure includes an upper access-point disposed proximate the upper end, wherein the base is coupled to the elongate structure proximate the lower end;
• a cushion-component coupled to the elongate structure;
• and
• a tether comprising a portion that extends from the upper access-point to the UAV.