A method for loading an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with one or more items is disclosed. The method includes positioning one or more items in specific positions within one of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and a container configured to be carried by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle based on a Center of Gravity of each of the one or more items. The method also includes securing the one or more items in the specific positions within the one of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the container to prevent the one or more items from shifting and changing a combined Center of Gravity of the one or more items combined with the one of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the container during a flight of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

A method for loading an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with one or more items is disclosed. The method includes determining a Center of Gravity of each of the one or more items. The method also includes matching a combined Center of Gravity of the one or more items with a Center of Gravity of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

A method for loading an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with multiple items is disclosed. The method includes determining a weight, size, and Center of Gravity of each of the multiple items. The method also includes positioning the multiple items relative to one another such that a combined Center of Gravity of the multiple items will be positioned within a predetermined region. The method further includes loading the multiple items onto the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with the combined Center of Gravity of the multiple items positioned within the predetermined region.

A method for loading an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with one or more items is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a Center of Gravity of each of the one or more items and at least one physical characteristic of each of the one or more items. The method also includes categorizing each of the one or more items based on the obtained Center of Gravity and the at least one physical characteristic of the one or more items. The method further includes selecting, for each of the one or more items, one of a plurality of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to transport the corresponding one or more items based on the categorization of each of the one or more items.

In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The unmanned aerial vehicle may include a propulsion device, a sensor device, and a management system. In some examples, the management system may be configured to receive sensor information associated with visible human gestures via the sensor device and, in response, instruct the propulsion device to perform an action associated with an identified visible human gesture.

A payload retrieval apparatus including a structure having an outwardly facing portion, a payload support member adapted for having a payload positioned thereon, one or more magnets or a metal positioned on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure adapted to magnetically engage one or more magnets or a metal positioned on a payload retriever attached to a tether suspended from a UAV, wherein when the payload is positioned on the payload support member, the payload support member is movable to position a handle of the payload adjacent the one or more magnets or the metal on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure.

The present invention relates;to a drone comprising a fuselage (1) provided with a carrying means (11, 12) capable of allowing a belly-to-ground flight position and an inverted flight position, at least one propulsion means (2), autonomous navigation instruments and an axial compartment (10) forming a recess incorporated into an upper part of the fuselage in order to receive a parachutist (h) in the lying position, avionics provided with programmable control means coupled to the autonomous navigation instruments and means for releasing said parachutist controlled by said avionics, characterised in that said release means are designed and intended to ensure the release of said parachutist in the inverted flight position, and,to a piece of airborne intervention equipment.

Described is a method of delivery for cargo or goods from an aerial vehicle (mothership) to a designated ground delivery location via the use of a direct air shipping (DASH) package. For example an aerial vehicle may be an airplane or helicopter that remains at altitude with a DASH packaged stowed for deployment. As the mothership travels in the vicinity of the designated location the DASH package flight control computer (flight controller) calculates a preferred travel trajectory based upon the aerodynamic properties of the package and location relative to the designated delivery location such as a small delivery pad located on a patio of a home. When the mothership transits through a calculated release point the DASH package disengages the mothership. As the DASH package descends it may increase accuracy relative to the designated delivery location by altering aerodynamic properties to maintain the preferred travel trajectory and decreasing landing zone size requirements and increasing precision of delivery. To reduce the impact force at landing the designated delivery location and/or the DASH package may contain a net, airbag, parachute or similar device to provide a suitably soft landing suitable for commercial home delivery.

The present invention provides a unique system to deliver packages from aerial vehicles to the ground through the use of a sophisticated guidance system and impact-absorbing catching mechanism. The new systems and methods of the present invention provide package delivery from manned and unmanned aircraft that is fully automated and reliably accurate to deliver a package to a ground station operable to receive the package in the catching mechanism.

A delivery system includes a drone including a prime mover and a payload attachment system including a selectively deployable magnet, and a reusable tote including a body having a base, sides, and a lid, the reusable tote including an attachment member provided on the lid operable to engage with the selectively deployable magnet.