The present invention relates to a system that can to capture, retain, and release a small UAV/drone. Exemplary embodiments include a plurality of capture mechanisms each include a capture arm coupled to an actuator. The capture mechanism can include two pivot points, one of which can move along a track or groove, to allow the capture arm to extend and retract while maintaining a small combined circumference during UAV landing while still being able to extend to engage with a retention ring on the UAV.

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing self-organizing mobile networks (SOMNETs) of drones and platforms. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive first data from each of a plurality of vehicles; might receive second data from each of a plurality of platforms; might analyze the first data to determine a status of each vehicle; and might analyze the second data to determine a status of each platform. Based at least in part on the analyzed first and second data, the computing system might generate at least one of first control instructions to at least one first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles or second control instructions to at least one first platform of the plurality of platforms that respectively cause the at least one first vehicle to perform one or more first actions or cause the at least one first platform to perform one or more second actions.

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing self-organizing mobile networks (SOMNETs) of drones and platforms. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive first data from each of a plurality of vehicles; might receive second data from each of a plurality of platforms; might analyze the first data to determine a status of each vehicle; and might analyze the second data to determine a status of each platform. Based at least in part on the analyzed first and second data, the computing system might generate at least one of first control instructions to at least one first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles or second control instructions to at least one first platform of the plurality of platforms that respectively cause the at least one first vehicle to perform one or more first actions or cause the at least one first platform to perform one or more second actions.

A drone pod includes a pod shell, a door, a motor and a computer. The pod shell includes a base, a top, and a wall. The top has an opening sized to receive a drone. The wall connects the base and the top. The door is disposed in the opening. The motor is drivingly connected to the door. The computer is programmed actuate the motor to open and close the door responsive to an operation of the drone.

An autonomous vehicle includes a retractable harness mounted within the vehicle and extendible through an opening in the vehicle body, such as a sun roof. The harness may include a retainer, such as an electromagnet, for engaging a docking structure on an aerial drone. On take-off, the vehicle may reach a desirable take-off speed of the aerial drone, activate the aerial drone, and release the retainer. On landing, the aerial drone and vehicle may synchronize their speeds and locations. The retractable harness may extend and align itself with the aerial drone, which descends and docks with the retractable harness.

A method (100) of landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (101) on another vehicle (103), the method including: determining (110) the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle; determining (120) the velocity of the other vehicle; and adjusting (130) the velocity of at least one of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the other vehicle to ensure that the difference between the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the velocity of the other vehicle is greater than a predetermined amount as the unmanned aerial vehicle lands on the other vehicle.

A fire suppression drone comprises a main body, a plurality of propellers provided on an outer circumference of the main body and driven by a driving motor, a pump provided in the main body and connected to a water feeding vehicle through a water feeding hose, at least one water jet nozzle provided on the outer circumference of the main body to jet water supplied by the pump, a camera provided on the outer circumference of the main body, and a controller connected with the driving motor, the pump, and the camera and connected with a remote controller to be wirelessly communicable with the remote controller, wherein the remote controller includes a monitor, the monitor capable of display, in real-time, an image captured by the camera.

To allow acquisition of information corresponding to running conditions of a vehicle and presentation of the information to a passenger. A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus acquires information on vehicle surroundings while floating a floating body equipped with a sensor including at least an image-taking apparatus in the vehicle surroundings and presents the information to a passenger. The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus includes processing means for controlling at least one of a method for acquiring the information on the vehicle surroundings and a method for presenting the information to a passenger in accordance with running conditions of a vehicle.

A computer that includes a processor and memory which stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include: initiate, from a vehicle, a fuel delivery request for fuel delivery by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); in response to the initiation, instruct a communication module in the vehicle to transmit a beacon signal to enable the UAV to locate the vehicle; and coordinate a docking procedure between the UAV and the vehicle to receive fuel from the UAV.

A robotic system is disclosed. The robotic system includes a robot. A module is coupled to the robot. An item is disposed within the module. The module includes a release door configured to be selectively opened and closed. When the release door is selectively opened, the item is dropped from the module.