Abstract: A method includes positioning a vehicle on a vehicle base station such that a first payload is aligned with an aperture in the vehicle base station. The method includes aligning an empty docking station of a payload advancing assembly with the aperture. The method includes removing the first payload from the vehicle and placing the first payload in the empty docking station of the payload advancing assembly, where the full docking station includes a second payload. The method also includes aligning a full docking station of the payload advancing assembly with the aperture and securing the second payload to the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for semi-autonomous vehicle control of a vehicle includes a distributed mission module configured to modify a mission element of a group mission based on availability of data. The group mission involves a plurality of vehicles. The apparatus also includes a guidance module configured to compute a path for a local vehicle of the plurality of vehicles based on the modified mission element. The path is configured to achieve the modified mission element. Additionally, the apparatus includes a multi-protocol translator module configured to convert the path into one or more control commands for the local vehicle. The distributed mission module, guidance module, and multi-protocol translator are located on-board the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for semi-autonomous vehicle control of a vehicle includes a distributed mission module configured to modify a mission element of a group mission based on availability of data. The group mission involves a plurality of vehicles. The apparatus also includes a guidance module configured to compute a path for a local vehicle of the plurality of vehicles based on the modified mission element. The path is configured to achieve the modified mission element. Additionally, the apparatus includes a multi-protocol translator module configured to convert the path into one or more control commands for the local vehicle. The distributed mission module, guidance module, and multi-protocol translator are located on-board the vehicle.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may include a number of robotic machine groups, a mission planner, and a mission control. The mission planner may be capable of generating a mission for the number of robotic machine groups. The mission control may be capable of executing the mission using the number of robotic machine groups.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a vehicle on a vehicle base station such that a first payload is aligned with an aperture in the vehicle base station. The method includes aligning an empty docking station of a payload advancing assembly with the aperture. The method includes removing the first payload from the vehicle and placing the first payload in the empty docking station of the payload advancing assembly, where the full docking station includes a second payload. The method also includes aligning a full docking station of the payload advancing assembly with the aperture and securing the second payload to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system to load and unload material from a vehicle comprises a vehicle base station and an assembly to autonomously load and unload material from the vehicle.

Abstract: A mission planning system for determining an optimum use of a plurality of vehicles in searching a predefined geographic area (PGA). A discretizer subsystem may be used for sensing the capabilities of each vehicle to produce a point set defining a number of points within the PGA that the vehicles must traverse to completely search the PGA. A task allocator subsystem may determine an optimum division of the PGA into different subregions to be handled by specific ones of the vehicles, thus to minimize an overall time needed to search the PGA. A path optimizer subsystem may determine an optimum path through a particular vehicle's assigned subregion to minimize the time needed for each specific vehicle to traverse its associated subregion.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an aircraft. A plurality of heterogeneous unmanned vehicles are used to perform an inspection of the aircraft, each unmanned vehicle having one or more sensors. A plurality of portions of the aircraft are assigned to the vehicles for inspection based on functional capability of each vehicle. The unmanned vehicles are configured to cooperatively use the sensors to perform the inspection.

Abstract: A system and method for dividing a predefined search region into a map of a plurality of subregions to be searched by a plurality of mobile platforms, taking into account the capabilities of the mobile platforms and varying environmental conditions within the subregions, while minimizing the time needed to search each of the subregions. The system and method updates the map of the subregions as needed, in real time, to account for changing environmental conditions and changes in the capabilities of the mobile platforms being used. The subregions may also be determined using a desired level of probability for detecting targets within the subregions in a desired number of passes through the subregion. The system optimizes coverage time while insuring a desired probability of coverage (i.e., observability) for heterogeneous mobile platforms.

Abstract: A transponder module for vehicles. The module has a substantially universal vehicle sensor input interface capable of receiving sensor input from different types of vehicle sensors and from different types of vehicles. One or more processors and memory, in real time, receive vehicle sensor input data via the input interface. Based on a vehicle type stored in the memory, the processor(s) use the sensor input data to determine conditions of subsystems the vehicle. Based on the determined conditions, the processor(s) determine performance capabilities of the vehicle. The transponder module outputs information as to the stored vehicle type, determined conditions, and vehicle performance capabilities.

Abstract: Representing vehicles in a customizable virtual environment is disclosed. One embodiment includes a controlled environment including prototype vehicles and a virtual environment including virtual representations of the prototype vehicles. The virtual environment is a display that includes an environment scenario, a number of virtual objects, and the various represented vehicles. The represented vehicles are linked to the prototype vehicles by communicating kinematic data from the prototype vehicles to the virtual vehicles real-time. The positions of the represented vehicles are updated based on the communicated kinematic data such that the virtual environment is a realistic visualization of the prototype vehicles. In addition, the virtual environment is highly customizable.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may include a number of robotic machine groups, a mission planner, and a mission control. The mission planner may be capable of generating a mission for the number of robotic machine groups. The mission control may be capable of executing the mission using the number of robotic machine groups.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may include a number of robotic machine groups, a mission planner, and a mission control. The mission planner may be capable of generating a mission for the number of robotic machine groups. The mission control may be capable of executing the mission using the number of robotic machine groups.

Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an aircraft. A plurality of heterogeneous unmanned vehicles are used to perform an inspection of the aircraft, each unmanned vehicle having one or more sensors. A plurality of portions of the aircraft are assigned to the vehicles for inspection based on functional capability of each vehicle. The unmanned vehicles are configured to cooperatively use the sensors to perform the inspection.

Abstract: A transponder module for vehicles. The module has a substantially universal vehicle sensor input interface capable of receiving sensor input from different types of vehicle sensors and from different types of vehicles. One or more processors and memory, in real time, receive vehicle sensor input data via the input interface. Based on a vehicle type stored in the memory, the processor(s) use the sensor input data to determine conditions of subsystems the vehicle. Based on the determined conditions, the processor(s) determine performance capabilities of the vehicle. The transponder module outputs information as to the stored vehicle type, determined conditions, and vehicle performance capabilities.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling one or more uninhabited heterogeneous autonomous transport devices. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously reduce costs and improve efficiencies by providing capabilities for a computing device to be able to control and to monitor one or more heterogeneous autonomous transport devices. This occurs by generating a command signal from a computing device and transmitting the command signal to control on-board computing devices of one or more heterogeneous transport devices to execute requirements of a mission. Also, embodiments of the present invention provide ways to start-up, to send commands, and to shut down real or simulated heterogeneous autonomous transport devices.

Abstract: Representing vehicles in a customizable virtual environment is disclosed. One embodiment includes a controlled environment including prototype vehicles and a virtual environment including virtual representations of the prototype vehicles. The virtual environment is a display that includes an environment scenario, a number of virtual objects, and the various represented vehicles. The represented vehicles are linked to the prototype vehicles by communicating kinematic data from the prototype vehicles to the virtual vehicles real-time. The positions of the represented vehicles are updated based on the communicated kinematic data such that the virtual environment is a realistic visualization of the prototype vehicles. In addition, the virtual environment is highly customizable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.