Disclosed is a take-off and landing station (1) for a flying vehicle (2) for transporting people and/or loads, which flying vehicle takes off and lands vertically and comprises a flight module (3), having a plurality of drive units (17) arranged on a supporting framework structure (16) of the flight module (3), and a transportation module (4), which can be coupled to the flight module (3). The take-off and landing station (1) comprises a holding apparatus (21) having a plurality of gripper elements and support elements (11) for supporting, fixing and/or orienting the supporting framework structure (16) during take-off and landing of the flying vehicle (2) or the flight module (3).

A component inspection system for monitoring and detecting damage to components of a cargo handling system may comprise a first camera configured to monitor a first detection zone, and an inspection controller configured to analyze image data output by the first camera. The inspection system controller may be configured to identify a component of the cargo handling system in the image data received from the first camera and determine a state of the component. The state of the component may be at least one of a normal state or a damaged state.

A component inspection system for monitoring and detecting damage to components of a cargo handling system may comprise a first camera configured to monitor a first detection zone, and an inspection controller configured to analyze image data output by the first camera. The inspection system controller may be configured to identify a component of the cargo handling system in the image data received from the first camera and determine a state of the component. The state of the component may be at least one of a normal state or a damaged state.

Disclosed is a drone trailer system and associated methods. The system includes a control section, which maneuvers the drone, and a utility section, which may serve one or more functions. The utility section may be connected to an articulated joint, which may be connected to the control section. The articulated joint may be detachably or fixedly connected to the control section. The payload of the utility section may include an electronic sign, a printed sign, a solar panel, or a camera. A stabilization device may stabilize the utility section's movement relative to the utility section. Further, the stabilization device may allow a user to orient the utility section relative to the control section in two or more orientations. The articulated joint may allow the control section to pitch and roll, or, alternatively, pitch, roll, and yaw relative to the utility section.

Disclosed is a drone trailer system and associated methods. The system includes a control section, which maneuvers the drone, and a utility section, which may serve one or more functions. The utility section may be connected to an articulated joint, which may be connected to the control section. The articulated joint may be detachably or fixedly connected to the control section. The payload of the utility section may include an electronic sign, a printed sign, a solar panel, or a camera. A stabilization device may stabilize the utility section's movement relative to the utility section. Further, the stabilization device may allow a user to orient the utility section relative to the control section in two or more orientations. The articulated joint may allow the control section to pitch and roll, or, alternatively, pitch, roll, and yaw relative to the utility section.

A mobile cargo controller for a cargo handling system is disclosed, and may include an inertial measurement unit(s), a plurality of cargo zone selectors, a plurality of cargo zone indicators, and a cargo motion controller(s). Different combinations of one or more of the cargo zone selectors are activatable to correspond with different cargo zones of a cargo compartment (e.g., for an aircraft). Each cargo zone that is selected or activated through actuation of one or more of the cargo zone selectors activates each corresponding cargo zone indicator based upon a current orientation of the mobile cargo controller. As such, the particular cargo zone indicator(s) that is/are activated to identify a particular active cargo zone to an operator will differ for different orientations of the mobile cargo controller.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.

Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.