Cargo aerial delivery systems for delivering one or more delivery items and related methods. A cargo aerial delivery system may include a cargo container configured to carry the delivery item(s) and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to carry the cargo container to delivery destinations of the delivery items. The cargo container may include a programmable device that stores manifest information regarding the delivery item(s) and a local communication mode configured to convey delivery information from the cargo container to the UAV. A method of utilizing a cargo aerial delivery system may include loading delivery item(s) into a container body of a cargo container, entering manifest information into a programmable device, operatively engaging the cargo container with a UAV, generating a delivery itinerary, transporting the cargo container with the UAV according to the delivery itinerary, and unloading each delivery item at the respective delivery destination.

Cargo aerial delivery systems for delivering one or more delivery items and related methods. A cargo aerial delivery system may include a cargo container configured to carry the delivery item(s) and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to carry the cargo container to delivery destinations of the delivery items. The cargo container may include a programmable device that stores manifest information regarding the delivery item(s) and a local communication mode configured to convey delivery information from the cargo container to the UAV. A method of utilizing a cargo aerial delivery system may include loading delivery item(s) into a container body of a cargo container, entering manifest information into a programmable device, operatively engaging the cargo container with a UAV, generating a delivery itinerary, transporting the cargo container with the UAV according to the delivery itinerary, and unloading each delivery item at the respective delivery destination.

A system for performing work on electrical power lines and/or splices on electrical power lines comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a power line tool adapted to perch on an electrical power line and/or a splice on an electrical power line, a support frame selectively releasably attached to the UAV, and a plurality of flexible dielectric support lines attaching the power line tool to the support frame. Each of the support lines are attached to a corresponding attachment point on the support frame and a corresponding attachment point on the power line tool.

Walking VTOL vehicles and related systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system can include one or more vertical thrust propulsion systems for providing vertical thrust for the vehicle, one or more horizontal thrust propulsion systems for providing horizontal thrust for the vehicle, and leg elements that are rotatable between a first configuration in which each leg element extends downwardly and a second configuration different from the first configuration. A representative method of operating a vehicle includes using vertical thrust to raise the vehicle upward, rotating a leg element forward, lowering the vehicle, and then rotating the leg element rearward to propel the vehicle forward.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to robot systems configured to operate on a cell tower to inspect, install, reconfigure, and repair cellular equipment. The present disclosure provides a robot for performing tasks on cell towers. The robot includes a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot including monitoring equipment disposed thereon, one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower, a tethering system adapted to prevent the robot from falling off of the cell tower, and wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot. The robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.

A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.

A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a vehicle main body having a first length in a first direction longer than a second length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; propellers that rotate in a virtual plane parallel to the first and second directions; first propeller actuation motors that are provided on the vehicle main body and respectively rotate the propellers; at least one connector that is hangable from at least one rail spaced apart from the ground surface; at least one side propeller that provides propulsion force for propelling the vehicle main body in the first direction; at least one third propeller actuation motor that is provided on the vehicle main body and rotates the at least one side propeller; and a control processor that controls the first propeller actuation motors and the at least one third propeller actuation motor.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a vehicle main body having a first length in a first direction longer than a second length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; propellers that rotate in a virtual plane parallel to the first and second directions; first propeller actuation motors that are provided on the vehicle main body and respectively rotate the propellers; at least one connector that is hangable from at least one rail spaced apart from the ground surface; at least one side propeller that provides propulsion force for propelling the vehicle main body in the first direction; at least one third propeller actuation motor that is provided on the vehicle main body and rotates the at least one side propeller; and a control processor that controls the first propeller actuation motors and the at least one third propeller actuation motor.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can deliver a package to a delivery destination. Packages delivered by a UAV may be lowered towards the ground while the UAV continues to fly rather than the UAV landing on the ground and releasing the package. Packages may sway during lowering as a result of wind or movement of the UAV. By modulating a rate of descent of a package, a package sway may mitigated. The lowering mechanism includes wrapping a tether in various directions around the package such that the package rotates in a first and second direction as the package descends. Additionally, a rip-strip lowering mechanism that separates under tension to lower the package and a rappel mechanism that slides the package down a tether may be used. Accordingly, the tether can control a descent of the package assembly.