A ground marker for use in identifying a location associated with a mission performed by an aerial vehicle includes a visible surface with aspects that are positioned at different vertical heights or elevations. The vertical variation in the aspects of the visible surface enhances a level of visibility of the ground marker within images captured by cameras provided aboard the aerial vehicle, resulting in more accurate estimations of ranges to such markers (e.g., altitudes) determined from such images. The visible surface includes one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar codes, alphanumeric characters and symbols thereon and is provided on or within rigid or flexible frames that are adapted to be placed on ground surfaces at the location associated with the mission.

A method for multimodal transportation based on an air vehicle may include confirming, by a transportation management server, freight transfer approval information provided by a freight transfer object that approaches a take-off and landing facility, setting a freight stop zone in response to a demand for freight handling of the freight transfer object, and processing freight loading or unloading of the freight transfer object based on freight information corresponding to the freight transfer object.

An access management system includes a mobile device with a processor and a memory and a software platform including at least a processor and a memory. The software platform is configured to analyze data obtained from an access management device and other devices connected to the software platform. Other devices connected to the platform include robots, such as aerial robots, which are configured to detect motion and engage with an object connected to the motion detection. An enclosure is operable to house an aerial robot and provides for ease of addition of the aerial robot to a security or entry management system by providing an easily installable package. The enclosure provides the advantages of simple deployment and charging of aerial robots.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for remote monitoring and piloting of a ship. Examples include a method of delivering remote monitoring equipment to the ship and establishing a data and communication exchange for shore-based pilotage of the ship from a remote location. The equipment usable for remote monitoring and communication between the ship and pilot (at the remote location) is stored in a package and delivered to the ship by unmanned aircraft. The package is distributed and installed by ship's crew to specified locations. The remote pilot while located ashore has access to all the information that is needed to assist in safe navigation of the ship by exchanging data and/or streaming real time video from the ship to shore. Additionally, the system may extract navigational data from the ship and transmit it to shore in real-time.

A system and method for securing delivered packages is provided. One embodiment employs a j-shaped or u-shaped support member secured to a fixed location structure; a basket configured to receive a delivered package; an articulated frame that opens to receive the delivered package into the basket; and that closes to secure the delivered package within the basket; a latch; and a controller system controllably coupled to the latch, wherein the controller system releases the latch in response to an arrival of a package so that the articulated frame is opened to receive the delivered package into the basket, and wherein after the articulated frame is closed with the delivered package residing in the basket, the latch is engaged to lock the closed articulated frame.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein relate to a method for delivering cash by an unmanned vehicle to a plurality of customers at different locations. The method includes receiving cash delivery requests from user devices of the plurality of customers via a communications network. The method includes determining a path for the unmanned vehicle from a current location of the unmanned vehicle to Global Position System (GPS) locations of the user devices of the plurality of customers. The method also includes instructing each of the plurality of compartments of a cash container of the unmanned vehicle to open in response to authenticating a corresponding customer of the plurality of customers or a corresponding user device of the user devices that generated a corresponding cash delivery request for which each of the plurality of compartments is storing cash.

A kiosk for use an unmanned aerial system (UAS) delivery system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the kiosk includes an enclosure comprising at least one vertical wall having a secured entrance therethrough to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the enclosure, wherein an external appearance of the enclosure corresponds to a location of the kiosk; a landing zone for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the UAS located within the enclosure, the landing zone comprising infrastructure from which the UAV can take off and on which the UAV can land; sensors for detecting an environment of at least one of the kiosk and the enclosure; and a guidance system for providing signals to the UAV to guide the UAV into the enclosure and onto the landing zone.

Delivery systems for aerial vehicles may provide a passive automatic delivery system that is automatically triggered during landing of the aerial vehicle. One or more arm assemblies of the delivery system may include a respective landing arm, resilient member, and package guide. The landing arm is configured to rotate in response to an applied external force, with the resilient member being operatively coupled to the landing arm and configured to bias the landing arm towards a resting position. The package delivery system automatically releases the package when a delivery condition is met, such as the landing arms of the delivery system being rotated past a threshold position. Delivery systems can thus passively and automatically ensure that all landing arms are on a landing surface before the package is released. Related methods include approaching and contacting a landing surface, and releasing the package at the landing surface of the delivery location.

A method for controlling an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle for delivery of a medication package includes determining a thermal control period for the medication package. The method also includes identifying a delivery location corresponding to the medication package. The method also includes identifying at least one environmental characteristic of an environment that includes a delivery three-dimensional flight path between a starting location and the delivery location, wherein the at least one environmental characteristic indicates an actual weather value at the delivery location. The method also includes determining whether to deliver the medication package based on the thermal control period and the at least one environmental characteristic, using the unmanned aerial vehicle.

A novel and useful system and method of air delivery of payloads incorporating a zero or near zero velocity deployment maneuver that enables aircraft to smoothly deploy payloads without dropping them and without requiring the aircraft to land. A multicopter fitted with the mechanism lowers the payload to smoothly touchdown in a matter of seconds without the need to hover above the destination. In operation, the payload hangs from a tether, pendulum, or robotic arm and is extended prior to arrival to the target destination. The hanging payload begins swinging in a controlled and coordinated manner with the trajectory of the autonomous air vehicle such that the payload arrives at the delivery point at zero or near zero velocity relative to it, while the vehicle maintains its forward movement. The payload is released from the tether at the exact moment the payload touches or is about to touch the ground.