Dynamic Obstacle Margin Adjustment For Vehicles And Related Methods

1 . A method for dynamic obstacle avoidance in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

dynamically modifying an obstacle margin based on detected conditions to enable navigation through confined areas;

automatically shrinking the obstacle margin when the UAV is in a reduced obstacle mode;

limiting a maximum speed of the UAV to a predetermined value when in the reduced obstacle mode;

reducing a size of an obstacle map to enhance resolution and improve detection of confined spaces;

dynamically determining the detected conditions to automatically adjust a level of obstacle avoidance;

automatically adjusting the level of obstacle avoidance to adapt to the detected conditions;

detecting when the reduced obstacle mode can be exited; and

automatically returning the UAV to a previous mode upon detecting that the reduced obstacle mode can be exited.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the detected conditions comprise at least one of an impeded movement of the UAV or an intended path of the UAV through a restricted opening.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically modifying the obstacle margin comprises adaptively adjusting the obstacle margin based on the confined area.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically shrinking the obstacle margin comprises dynamically reducing the obstacle margin.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein limiting the maximum speed of the UAV comprises setting an adjustable limit for a reduced velocity of the UAV.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the size of the obstacle map comprises enhancing a precision of the obstacle map for improved recognition of the confined spaces.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically determining the detected conditions comprises autonomously recognizing criteria for a change in the obstacle avoidance mode.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically returning the UAV to the previous mode comprises autonomously reverting to the previous mode.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a user input from a controller to temporarily reduce the obstacle margin.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a user input from a controller to toggle between a plurality of obstacle avoidance modes.

11 . A system for dynamic obstacle avoidance in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:

a processor configured to:

dynamically modify an obstacle margin based on detected conditions to enable navigation through confined areas;

automatically shrink the obstacle margin when the UAV is in a reduced obstacle mode;

limit a maximum speed of the UAV to a predetermined value when in the reduced obstacle mode;

reduce a size of an obstacle map to enhance resolution and improve detection of confined spaces;

dynamically determine the detected conditions to automatically adjust a level of obstacle avoidance;

automatically adjust the level of obstacle avoidance to adapt to the detected conditions;

detect when the reduced obstacle mode can be exited; and

automatically return the UAV to a previous mode upon detecting that the reduced obstacle mode can be exited.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the detected conditions comprise at least one of an impeded movement of the UAV or an intended path of the UAV through a restricted opening.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein dynamically modifying the obstacle margin comprises adaptively adjusting the obstacle margin based on the confined area.

14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein automatically shrinking the obstacle margin comprises dynamically reducing the obstacle margin.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein limiting the maximum speed of the UAV comprises setting an adjustable limit for a reduced velocity of the UAV.

16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein reducing the size of the obstacle map comprises enhancing a precision of the obstacle map for improved recognition of the confined spaces.

17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein dynamically determining the detected conditions comprises autonomously recognizing criteria for a change in the obstacle avoidance mode.

18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein automatically returning the UAV to the previous mode comprises autonomously reverting to the previous mode.

19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a user input from a controller to temporarily reduce the obstacle margin; and

receive a user input from a controller to toggle between a plurality of obstacle avoidance modes.

20 . An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer-readable media; and

program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors of an aerial vehicle, direct the one or more processors to at least:

dynamically modifying an obstacle margin based on detected conditions to enable navigation through confined areas;

automatically shrinking the obstacle margin when the UAV is in a reduced obstacle mode;

limiting a maximum speed of the UAV to a predetermined value when in the reduced obstacle mode;

reducing a size of an obstacle map to enhance resolution and improve detection of confined spaces;

dynamically determining the detected conditions to automatically adjust a level of obstacle avoidance;

automatically adjusting the level of obstacle avoidance to adapt to the detected conditions;

detecting when the reduced obstacle mode can be exited; and

automatically returning the UAV to a previous mode upon detecting that the reduced obstacle mode can be exited.