An unmanned delivery system includes a self-propelled robot, an unmanned aerial vehicle which transports a package to an intermediate location on the way of delivering the package, and robot circuitry which controls the self-propelled robot so that the self-propelled robot delivers to a receiver's address the package which is unloaded at the intermediate location.

Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

A method for extracting a person or package from a ground point involves dropping a pod, connected to a tether, with parachute and radio from an aircraft, connected by tether line to the fixed-wing aircraft, tracking descent of the pod to an extraction point, maneuvering the fixed wing aircraft into a circular orbit creating a gravity well, donning the parachute with harness by a subject to be extracted, and altering path and speed of the fixed-wing aircraft to gradually increase tension in the tether to lift the subject in the harness from the ground point, and to accelerate the subject to an altitude and path to carry the subject in the harness to a predetermined altitude over a second ground point.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) rendezvous with and transfers a product to a receiving vehicle that is en route to a destination-location. The UAV is dispatched with the product along a flight path that intercepts with a predetermined route that the receiving vehicle is expected to travel along toward the destination-location. Once the UAV is within the vicinity of the receiving vehicle, the UAV approaches the receiving vehicle and utilizes cargo release equipment to transfer the product to the receiving vehicle. In one example, the UAV flies above the receiving vehicle at a synchronized velocity and drops the product through an opening in the roof of the receiving vehicle. In another example, the UAV flies above the receiving vehicle and suspends the product adjacent to a side-window opening of the receiving vehicle to enable an occupant of the receiving vehicle to reach out and retrieve the product.

Techniques for verifying a location and identification of a landing marker to aid an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a payload to a location may be provided. For example, upon receiving an indication that a UAV has arrived to a delivery location, a server computer may process one or more images of an area that are provided by the UAV and/or a user interacting with a user device. A landing marker may be identified in the image and a representation of the landing marker along with instructions to guide the UAV to deliver the payload to the landing marker may be transmitted to the UAV and implemented by the UAV.

A method for extracting a person or package from a ground point involves dropping a pod, connected to a tether, with parachute and radio from an aircraft, connected by tether line to the fixed-wing aircraft, tracking descent of the pod to an extraction point, maneuvering the fixed wing aircraft into a circular orbit creating a gravity well, donning the parachute with harness by a subject to be extracted, and altering path and speed of the fixed-wing aircraft to gradually increase tension in the tether to lift the subject in the harness from the ground point, and to accelerate the subject to an altitude and path to carry the subject in the harness to a predetermined altitude over a second ground point.

Systems and methods are disclosed for delivering a package from a drone to a vehicle. In some instances, the method may include identifying the vehicle by the done. A wireless communication connection may be established between the drone and the vehicle. The vehicle may open an access door of the vehicle to expose an opening in the vehicle. A net configured to receive the package from the drone may be disposed within the vehicle below the opening. The drone may release the package into the net.

An apparatus and method for transporting a payload are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a system for transporting a payload includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a payload coupling apparatus, and a containment apparatus having an aerodynamic shape and including first and second openings. The containment apparatus is located external to the UAV and attaches to an underside of the UAV. The payload coupling apparatus passes through the first and second openings of the containment apparatus to couple with the payload, and the payload passes through the second opening to be positioned inside or outside the containment apparatus.

A payload coupling apparatus is provided including a housing, wherein the housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot, and wherein the slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload.

An unmanned aerial vehicle system is provided including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage, a tether having a first end secured to a winch system positioned in the UAV and a second end secured to a payload coupling apparatus, a payload coupling apparatus receptacle positioned in the fuselage of the UAV, a payload having a handle, wherein the handle of the payload is positioned within a slot in the payload coupling apparatus. A method of securing a payload to a UAV is also provided.