Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an unmanned aircraft system, comprising: a communications unit; and a UAV comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable medium; a lift system comprising lift mechanisms to propel the UAV; a sensor system to obtain sensor information related to the UAVs environment; a processor to control operation of the lift system and the sensor system; an object detection module to detect potential mobile landing structures within the UAVs environment based on the sensor information; a mobile landing area recognition module to identify a mobile landing area on a mobile landing structure based on the sensor information; and a navigation module to estimate a real-time state of the mobile landing area based on the sensor information or the mobile landing area and to land the UAV onto the mobile landing area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system and method for automatically recharging a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a moving platform, comprising: a software module identifying the moving platform; a software module estimating a real-time state of the moving platform; a software module controlling automatic landing of the UAV on the moving platform based on the real-time state estimation of the moving platform and data collected from the one or more sensors; a software module controlling automatic connection of the UAV to a charging station of the moving platform with a pre-determined orientation; and a software module controlling automatic taking off of the UAV from the moving platform after charging.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system and method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tethered from a mobile platform, the UAV system comprising: a UAV comprising one or more sensors, and one or more propellers; a tether attached to the UAV and to the mobile platform; a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory; and a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to automatically control the UAV relative to the mobile platform comprising: a software module identifying the mobile platform; a software module estimating a real-time state of the mobile platform; and a software module automatically controlling three-dimensional real-time motion of the UAV based on the real-time state estimation of the mobile platform and data collected from the one or more sensors, such that the UAV is maintained at a predetermined position relative to the mobile platform.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for the use of unmanned aircraft systems to detect, locate, and identify objects in, on, or near the water that may provide useful information to people in a different location, such as on a nearby vessel for purposes of ultimately locating fish. The vessel can then take action based on data collected by the unmanned aircraft system, such as move to a new location to catch fish as detected by the unmanned aircraft system.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for the use of unmanned aircraft systems to detect, locate, and identify objects in, on, or near the water that may provide useful information to people in a different location, such as on a nearby vessel for purposes of ultimately locating fish. The vessel can then take action based on data collected by the unmanned aircraft system, such as move to a new location to catch fish as detected by the unmanned aircraft system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system and method for automatically recharging a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a moving platform, comprising: a software module identifying the moving platform; a software module estimating a real-time state of the moving platform; a software module controlling automatic landing of the UAV on the moving platform based on the real-time state estimation of the moving platform and data collected from the one or more sensors; a software module controlling automatic connection of the UAV to a charging station of the moving platform with a pre-determined orientation; and a software module controlling automatic taking off of the UAV from the moving platform after charging.

Abstract: A method and system for mimicking a thermal profile of a perishable product by fabricating a thermal mimicking probe (TMP). The TMP is obtained by forming a non-perishable, substantially solid material into a predetermined mass or shape, wherein the non-perishable material, in combination with the predetermined mass or size, has a temperature retention property similar to a perishable product; sealing an entirety of the formed material with a protective covering to form a core; accommodating a temperature sensor into a sensor side of the core; forming a first insulating layer on the sensor side of the core; and forming an enclosure of a second insulating layer that covers remaining sides of the core, wherein the first insulating layer is configured as a lid to the enclosure, wherein a change in temperature of a neighboring perishable product is substantially mimicked by readings from a temperature sensor in the core.

Abstract: A method and system for mimicking a thermal profile of a perishable product by fabricating a thermal mimicking probe (TMP). The TMP is obtained by forming a non-perishable, substantially solid material into a predetermined mass or shape, wherein the non-perishable material, in combination with the predetermined mass or size, has a temperature retention property similar to a perishable product; sealing an entirety of the formed material with a protective covering to form a core; accommodating a temperature sensor into a sensor side of the core; forming a first insulating layer on the sensor side of the core; and forming an enclosure of a second insulating layer that covers remaining sides of the core, wherein the first insulating layer is configured as a lid to the enclosure, wherein a change in temperature of a neighboring perishable product is substantially mimicked by readings from a temperature sensor in the core.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame, a centering mechanism, a positioning mechanism, and a mounting plate. The centering mechanism is coupled to the frame and is configured to adjustably center the apparatus widthwise on the ski. The positioning mechanism is coupled to the frame and the mounting plate can be removably coupled to the positioning mechanism. The mounting plate includes a unique pattern of apertures that provide a guide for drilling mounting holes in the ski. The positioning mechanism is configured to adjustably move the mounting plate in a lengthwise direction relative to the ski to a position to accommodate a select length of a select reference member. In some embodiments, a second mounting plate can be removably coupled to the positioning mechanism that can include a second pattern of apertures, which collectively with the pattern of apertures of the mounting plate provide a guide for drilling holes in the ski.