A system for providing a universal computing node for use in a smart self-healing node centric blockchain mesh network includes one or more programmable processing components, a communications network interface for communicating over the Internet, one or more local sensors, a blockchain ledger, a data store of useful data from the local sensors, AIML processing components, specific local functions to support one or more local hardware functions, and a local data store. The one or more programmable processing components execute a set of software components within the universal computing node that include a node controller for coordinating the interaction and processing of the set of software components when generating, storing, and retrieving blockchain data records, a web interface for transmitting and receiving data between the universal computing node and one or more additional universal computing nodes and one or more servers connected to the smart self-healing node centric blockchain mesh network, the blockchain processor for generating blockchain data records to be stored within the blockchain ledger, and a sensor interface for receiving data to be stored within one or more blockchain data records.

A ground vehicle-based aircraft launching system automatically adjusts aircraft pitch and yaw during a ground vehicle-based launching operation, and automatically releases the aircraft upon attainment of a pre-designated lift angle with respect to the ground vehicle and the launching system. The launching system transfers primary thrust direction loads, allowing the aircraft to freely pitch and yaw based on prevailing wind and aerodynamics. A latch mechanism on the launching system moves within both the yaw and pitch directions with the aircraft, and maintains a positive lock on the aircraft prior to its release from the launching system. A yaw mechanism allows passive zeroing of sideslip winds, which in turn may avoid yawing, rolling, and/or yaw-roll coupled induced roll forces.

The present disclosure relates to an aerial vehicle for carrying a load. The aerial vehicle comprises an environmental monitoring system configured to monitor the environment of the aerial vehicle and a data processing circuitry. The data processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the monitored environment, a risk to the environment posed by at least one of the aerial vehicle and the load of the aerial vehicle in case of a crash of the aerial vehicle. The data processing circuitry is further configured to cause, based on the determined risk, the aerial vehicle to carry out an action in order to reduce a damage to the environment in case of the crash.

A system for localization of a safe landing zone comprises at least one image-capture device onboard an aerial vehicle, and an onboard processor coupled to the image-capture device. The processor is operative to execute instructions to perform a method that comprises: receive, from the image-capture device, two or more overlapping images of a landscape underneath the aerial vehicle; generate, based on the overlapping images, a landing zone heatmap of the landscape; identify, based on the landing zone heatmap, one or more regions of the landscape having potential landing zones and obstacles; and determine a location of a safe landing zone using a distance transform of the one or more regions of the landscape. The location of the safe landing zone is in an area within one of the potential landing zones that is farthest from the obstacles. The location of the safe landing zone is then stored in a database.

Systems and methods are disclosed for vehicle integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). Example methods may include coupling a landing dish of a vehicle integrated UAS to a ground station assembly; positioning the landing dish and the ground station assembly into a portion of a vehicle and a capping member of the vehicle integrated UAS; and coupling the landing dish to the capping member of the vehicle integrated UAS. In various embodiments, the vehicle integrated UAS may be configured to send and receive information (e.g., route information, power information, status information, etc.) between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) associated with the UAS to device(s) of a vehicle.

A method of aligning an aircraft with a landing platform in motion comprises measuring a GPS heading with at least one GPS sensor positioned at a known location relative to the landing platform while the landing platform is in motion, measuring an orientation of the aircraft with an orientation sensor fixed relative to the aircraft, calculating an orientation of the landing platform from the GPS heading, calculating an orientation offset between the measured orientation of the aircraft and the calculated orientation of the landing platform, and changing an orientation of the aircraft or the landing platform to reduce the orientation offset. A system for landing and securing an aircraft in an enclosure, a system for disconnecting a tether from an aircraft, and a system for landing an aircraft in an enclosure are also described.

A secure, personalized, and locatable container for residential, commercial, industrial, and military use that is capable of interfacing with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for the purpose of sending and receiving mail and parcels. The container is stationary when installed but can be uninstalled and easily transportable to an alternate location for re-installation. The present invention of the container and proprietary communications protocol provides the benefit of touchless, secure, and verifiable parcel service anywhere in the world.

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).

Systems, devices, and methods that may include: determining one or more take-off variables for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle; increasing an altitude of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a first altitude, where increasing the altitude comprises substantially vertical flight of the VTOL aerial vehicle; performing a first pre-rotation check of the VTOL aerial vehicle; adjusting a pitch of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a first pitch angle via motor control; adjusting the pitch of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a second pitch angle via at least one of: motor control and one or more effectors; and adjusting the pitch of the VTOL aerial vehicle to a third pitch angle via the one or more effectors, where the third pitch angle is substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a line having one end coupled to the chassis and an opposite free end, wherein the free end is positioned below the chassis, and a severing mechanism operable to sever the line under control of the control system.