An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations that include obtaining flight information of the UAV; determining one or more modifications based on the flight information; and transmitting data messages over data buses based on the one or more modifications.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for controlling at least one robot system. This includes offering control of a first robot to a first mobile application, indicating an available service offered by the first robot, and receiving instructions to perform the available service. This further includes delivering: (i) debris, (ii) dust, or (iii) cut grass to a stationary second garbage collection robot. A computing system maintains a device profile for the first robot, indicates the available service and a status of the first robot to the first mobile application, and is configured to update the first mobile application. The first robot is configured to drive while performing the available service and is controlled by at least one of: (i) a camera or (ii) a sensor, to avoid collision. The second robot is a stationary garbage collection robot configured to store the delivered debris, dust, or cut grass.

Systems and methods for locating UAV. The methods comprise: causing a physical joining of a payload with a fuselage of the UAV (where the payload comprises a communication relay); using a power source to supply power to the payload that is independent from a main power source of the UAV; and continuing to perform relay operations by the communication relay and location operations by a first locator, when power is no longer being supplied by the main power source.

An example system includes a vehicle having a platform, a linear slide configured on the platform, a robotic retrieval system configured on the linear slide, a shelf configured adjacent to the linear slide and a control system that controls a reception of a first item and a second item by the robotic retrieval system and a placement of the first item and the second item, by the robotic retrieval system, on the shelf. A drone can be configured to retrieve the first item or the second item from the robotic retrieval system on the vehicle and deliver the first item or the second item to a destination location. The vehicle can thereby enable delivery of many items without the vehicle stopping or even driving to a specific destination location.

Multi-media parcel delivery systems and associated methods are provided herein including systems capable of delivering a parcel through air and one or more bodies of water. In certain embodiments, an aerial vehicle is configured to couple to the parcel using a cable. A control system is used to control operating parameters including velocity, altitude, and pose of the aerial vehicle, and a length and orientation of the cable extending between the aerial vehicle and the parcel.

A network system provides delivery of items using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones. The network system uses an infrastructure of nodes that include landing pads to dock drones, as well as interfaces to provide and receive items from docked drones. Nodes may be stationary (e.g., fixed at a building rooftop or public transit station) or mobile (e.g., mounted to a vehicle). The network system may determine a route for delivery of an item, where a drone transports the item for at least a portion of the route. For example, the route may include multiple waypoints associated with nodes between which drones travel. For other portions of the route, the network system may request a provider to transport the item using a ground-based vehicle.

A technique is described for implementing drones as a service. As an example, a drone may receive instructions from one or more network elements, coordinate operations with the one or more network elements, and perform at least one task associated with the instructions. The drone may deliver a container to a first location and perform object recognition to validate an object of a subscriber being delivered to a second location. The drone may measure the weight and dimensions of the object to confirm the object is within operating guidelines. After verifying the object is within operating guidelines, the drone may transport the container containing the object to the second location.

A system automatically positions a drone (1) on a landing/take-off site (2) including a landing area defined by an outer boundary. The system positions and aligns the drone (1), landed at any location on the landing area, at a predetermined position on the landing area. The system includes a rope sling (5) which, in its initial position, extends substantially along the outer boundary of the landing area, and the ends of which are connected to a rope winch (6) located near or at the predetermined position, so that the rope sling can be retracted when the rope winch is actuated. The drone is provided with engagement means (3, 4) engageable with the rope sling (5) when the rope sling (5) is retracted, so that the drone (1) is pulled to the predetermined position and is correctly aligned at the predetermined position upon further retraction of the rope sling (5).

A delivery device that travels along rails and delivers a package is provided. The rails include at least first and second rails. The delivery device includes: a main body; a connector that is configured to be connected to the rails, with the main body hanging from the connector, and with the rails being spaced apart from a ground surface; at least one actuator that drives the connector; a lift motor that is capable of taking up a wire for unloading the package; and a control circuit. When the delivery device is slidably hung from the first rail, the control circuit: switches from the first rail to the second rail by controlling the actuator; and lets out the wire and lowers the package by controlling the lift motor.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a receptacle constructed to receive deliveries from a drone. The receptacle can comprise an automatically openable lid; and a wireless receiver that is constructed to receive data concerning a delivery from the drone. The automatically openable lid can open to receive the delivery from the drone.