Abstract: A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.

Abstract: A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.

Abstract: A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for launching and/or capturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a moving substrate having an electromagnetic end effector and a UAV with a metallic strike plate to be attracted to the end effector when the electromagnet is activated. The system includes a movable robotic arm having a free end and a secured end; an electromagnetic end effector connected proximate to the free end of the robotic arm; a UAV with a metallic strike to be attracted and held to the electromagnetic end effector when the electromagnetic end effector is active; trajectory software configured to control a location of the free end of the robotic arm; and a control module for receiving input data, analyzing the data and using the trajectory software to control the location of and activate or deactivate the electromagnetic end effector. Also described are methods for launching and capturing the UAV.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for launching and/or capturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a moving substrate having an electromagnetic end effector and a UAV with a metallic strike plate to be attracted to the end effector when the electromagnet is activated. The system includes a movable robotic arm having a free end and a secured end; an electromagnetic end effector connected proximate to the free end of the robotic arm; a UAV with a metallic strike to be attracted and held to the electromagnetic end effector when the electromagnetic end effector is active; trajectory software configured to control a location of the free end of the robotic arm; and a control module for receiving input data, analyzing the data and using the trajectory software to control the location of and activate or deactivate the electromagnetic end effector. Also described are methods for launching and capturing the UAV.

Abstract: A magnetic connection system with at least three components for connecting host and target systems. A first magnetic connector is attached to the host system, a second magnetic connector is attached to the target system; a third magnetic connector or puck is positioned between the first connector and the second connector. The first, second, and third connectors fit together with their magnets aligned, and the magnetic attraction is stronger between the puck and the target system connector than the puck and the host system connector. The system can transfer fuel, data, or electricity. In one example, the system transfers fuel from a fuel supply vessel to a target vessel with minimal human effort to attach the fuel connector components. The puck can have a conduit for fuel, data, or electricity that is centrally aligned with a receiving conduit in the target system connector.

Abstract: A magnetic connection system with at least three components for connecting host and target systems. A first magnetic connector is attached to the host system, a second magnetic connector is attached to the target system; a third magnetic connector or puck is positioned between the first connector and the second connector. The first, second, and third connectors fit together with their magnets aligned, and the magnetic attraction is stronger between the puck and the target system connector than the puck and the host system connector. The system can transfer fuel, data, or electricity. In one example, the system transfers fuel from a fuel supply vessel to a target vessel with minimal human effort to attach the fuel connector components. The puck can have a conduit for fuel, data, or electricity that is centrally aligned with a receiving conduit in the target system connector.