An artificial intelligence entry management device for an entry management system includes a camera, a microphone, a motion detector, a speaker, and a housing. The housing has an oval shape with a substantially open middle. The substantially open middle has a housing protrusion portion configured to house the camera, the microphone, the motion detector, and the speaker.

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 payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a side wall positioned between the upper and lower portions, an attachment point on the housing adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether, a slot in the housing that extends downwardly towards a center of the housing thereby forming a hook or lip on the lower portion of the housing beneath the slot, a plurality of holes in the upper portion of the housing; and a plurality of holes in the lower portion of the housing. A method of retracting a payload coupling apparatus during UAV flight is also provided.

The drone parcel receptacle receives a package delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The parcel receptacle attaches to a window. The drone parcel receptacle automatically closes and locks after receiving a parcel. The drone parcel receptacle comprises a drop box, a lid, a latch, and a plurality of torsion springs. The lid attaches to the drop box. The latch attaches to both the drop box and the lid. The plurality of torsion springs attaches to both the drop box and the lid. The drop box receives the package from the unmanned aerial vehicle. The lid encloses the drop box after the package has been received. The latch locks the drone parcel receptacle in the closed position. The latch is released from the interior of the residence. The plurality of torsion springs store the energy required to close the lid on the drop box.

A device and system for an automatic robot, drone, and/or courier to deliver, hold, protect, and return parcels. The multi-user system has DRONEDEK docking features and include a small footprint combination; nine to 400 parcel capacity; has a multi-belt conveyor and turntables for parcels; uses omni-directional and cross roller turns; is compatible with re-usable packaging; has a parcel tilt and reload for return packages; utilizes a lightweight frame; has secure outer skin and access panels for maintenance; communicates and is controlled by DRONEDEK docking station; can use robotic unload/pick and place, multiple delivery/receiving, and can attach to other third-party parcel systems. A multi-user box is quite simply a unit with the functionality of one or more DRONEDEK docking stations and features numerous/multiple pigeonholes and container spaces for safe, secure storage of items to separate and distinct users in a bulk location.

A system including a landing location where a drone at least one of delivers and acquires a parcel, and a homing device to interact with the drone to guide the drone to the landing location independent of interaction from another source. The homing device guides the drone during the landing phase of a flight plan. A method is also disclosed.

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.

An order fulfillment facility with a delivery system is disclosed having plurality of mobile robots with containers to bring customer orders and/or power supply device/s to UAV/s for final delivery. UAV leaves the discharged power supply devices that are received in empty container and transported to storage area for replenishment and diagnostic checks. Order fulfillment operations along with power supply device charging and monitoring is performed to achieve timely delivery of customer orders.

An aircraft, etc., which can reduce the shock to a mounted object during unloading and improve the quality of delivery by lowering the mounted object from the aircraft after landing while maintaining its posture and releasing it so that the shock generated to the mounted object at the time of detachment is within a predetermined shock range. An aircraft equipped with a holding mechanism that holds the mounted object, wherein the holding mechanism moves the mounted object at least vertically downward after landing legs of the aircraft are grounded, while maintaining the mounted object horizontal.

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.