Abstract: A housing apparatus configured to be attached to an external housing of a vehicle mounted optical device is described. The housing apparatus is configured to direct an airflow at a lens of the optical device in order to prevent or remove obstructions, such as rain, dirt, pollen, insects, and other items. In one embodiment, among others, an apparatus comprises a tunnel structure that has a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a top side. The first end of the tunnel structure has an entry opening for capturing air flow while the vehicle is in motion. The second end of the tunnel structure has an exit opening for directing the air flow to a lens of the optical device.

Abstract: Autonomous ground vehicles equipped with one or more sensors may capture data regarding ground conditions at a location. The data may refer to or describe slopes, surface textures, terrain features, weather conditions, moisture contents or the like at the location, and may be used to select one or more areas for receiving a delivery of an item. The sensors may include one or more inclinometers, imaging devices or other systems. The autonomous ground vehicles may also engage in one or more direct interactions or communications with a delivery vehicle, and may select an appropriate area that is suitable for such interactions. The autonomous ground vehicles may also prepare the area for an arrival of a delivery vehicle, such as by making one or more visible markings in ground surfaces at the area.

Abstract: Routes for performing missions such as deliveries by air within a region may be selected based on historic exposures to noise within the region. Where a plurality of missions are performed by aerial vehicles at or near locations within a region, noises radiated by such aerial vehicles during such missions may be tracked or determined, and the extent to which ground-based locations are exposed to such noises may be modeled accordingly. Subsequently, when another mission is to be performed by air within the region, aspects of an optimal route to be traveled by an aerial vehicle while performing the mission, including but not limited to courses, speeds, altitudes, orientations or operational characteristics of the aerial vehicle, as well as paths to be traveled by the aerial vehicle or waypoints to be reached, may be selected in a manner that takes into account historical exposures to noises within the region.