An unmanned cargo loading and transport system adapted for operation with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a payload pad comprising a plurality of support members movable from an extended mode to a retracted mode when exposed to a lateral force applied to the support members and a payload container adapted to attach to a UAV and pick up cargo from the payload pad by transferring the weight of the cargo from the payload pad to the payload container. The lower portion of the payload container comprises two generally opposed cargo doors movably mounted at opposed sides and movable inwardly to a closed position and outwardly to an open position to receive cargo when the payload container is positioned at the payload pad. The system further comprises a motive power mechanism coupled to the cargo doors for selectively moving the doors between their open and their closed positions.

A universal payload manipulation tool employs a segmented ring captured in a telescoping cradle to perform the positioning functions of both a workstation and a loading adapter. The ring rotates over a range of 360 degrees to perform the position functions of the workstation. With the upper ring segment removed, the telescoping cradle rotates and the lower ring segment rotates and extends from the telescoping cradle over a combined range of rotation to position the payload at a specified angle for unloading to perform the position functions of a loading adapter. This configuration allows the universal tool to access confined spaces while supporting a range of rotation required in many applications for unloading the payload (loading the payload to another platform such as an aircraft). The manipulation tool may also be configured as only a loading adapter.

An unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo with internal cargo hold contained in a seaworthy fuselage. The UWIG is autonomous or semi-autonomous. A pair of wings are attached to the fuselage. An on-board controller controls lift sufficient lift to travel in ground effect. The controller also controls UWIG surface maneuvering, taxiing and flying. The UWIG may be autonomous or semi-autonomous.

A fire suppression system has a unique combination of components that includes interoperable electric-powered vehicles, facilities, hardware and software along with their range of specifications, standards, processes, capabilities and concepts of operations that comprise a concerted, multi-modal, system for delivering fire-retardant onto fires by uniquely-capable, ultra-quiet, electrically-powered, autonomous robotic aircraft (“SkyQarts”) that fly precise trajectories and perform extremely short take-offs and landings (ESTOL) at a highly-distributed network of small facilities (“SkyNests”) that have standardized compatible facilities, as defined herein, that interoperate with SkyQarts as well as with versatile, autonomous robotic electric-powered payload carts and electric-powered autonomous robotic delivery carts to provide safe, fast, on-demand, community-acceptable, environmentally friendly, high-capacity, sustained, affordable, day or night delivery of fire-retardant, even in smokey, IFR conditions to wildfires or controlled burns in urban, suburban, wildlands and rural settings in both developed and undeveloped countries across the globe.

A multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle and method. The multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a cargo conveying rack, a lifting mechanism, and a control system; the vehicle body is located below for providing a platform and support; the cargo conveying rack is located above the vehicle body and includes a plurality of layers for loading and unloading cargoes; the lifting mechanism is located on the outer side of the cargo conveying rack for lifting the cargo conveying rack; the control system is located on the vehicle body for controlling omni-directional driving, accurate butt joint, and automatic loading and unloading of the multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle. Accordingly, a multi-functional cargo transfer vehicle is adopted such that the multi-task functions of loading and unloading, transporting, and conveying of cargoes are simultaneously realized, thereby efficiently completing the transferring process of cargoes from a storage place to a transporting carrier.

A landing pad for an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) is disclosed. The landing pad includes a support structure, a charging pad, and a plurality of movable UAV supports. The charging pad is coupled to the support structure and able to move relative to the support structure. The UAV supports are also coupled to the support structure and configured to translate along the support structure from a first position to a second position. When the UAV supports are in the first position, the charging pad supports the UAV. When the UAV supports are in the second position, the charging pad is lowered and the UAV supports then provide support to the UAV.

A boom conveyor includes a boom that carries a conveyor, a support structure for the boom, a rear pivot joint that connects a rear end of the boom to the support structure, and a pivot drive that controls pivoting movement of the boom about the rear pivot joint. The boom conveyor apparatus includes an operator platform and an attachment mechanism at a front end of the boom whereby the operator platform may be attached to the boom or detached therefrom. The attachment mechanism includes a leveling mechanism that is configured to apply a leveling adjustment to the operator platform.

A trailer for moving pallets on and off cargo aircraft is disclosed. The trailer includes a deck having a top surface that defines a top plane. The top of the deck has at least one pair of spaced apart forklift clearance channels therein that are disposed below the top plane of the deck and extend inward from at least one of the sides of the deck. Methods for loading and unloading pallets on and off cargo aircraft are also disclosed.

An unmanned Wing In Ground Effect vessel (UWIG) for transporting the cargo with internal cargo hold contained in a seaworthy fuselage. The UWIG is autonomous or semi-autonomous. A pair of wings are attached to the fuselage. An on-board controller controls lift sufficient lift to travel in ground effect. The controller also controls UWIG surface maneuvering, taxiing and flying. The UWIG may be autonomous or semi-autonomous.

The present invention includes a mobile robot which transports a container configured of having a cargo contained therein to an air vehicle, loads the container at a predetermined loading place of the air vehicle, unloads the container from the air vehicle, identifies the unloaded container, and transports the identified container to a predetermined location.