Abstract: A precision landing system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a beacon is provided. A processor of the UAV controls a flight system of the UAV to fly the UAV. The processor detects, via a sensor of the UAV, a signal emitted by a beacon. The processor controls the flight system of the UAV to land on or near the beacon. The processor also energizes one or more electromagnets on a cradle of the UAV to retrieve the beacon.

Abstract: A launch includes a frame including a platform defining a slot designed to slideably receive a rudder of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle. The launch includes two drive wheels rotatably supported by the frame and defining a space between each other. The space is open to the slot and designed to receive the rudder. The launch includes at least one variable speed drive wheel motor supported by the frame and operatively engaged with the drive wheels.

Abstract: Example moveable mounting structures and methods are described. In one implementation, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body and a moveable mounting structure coupled to the body. The moveable mounting structure can move between a stowed position and a deployed position without interfering with a payload carried by the UAV. A camera is mounted to the moveable mounting structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secure transportation and safe deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed herein. An example method includes performing a UAV preflight procedure that includes determining UAV startup sounds from sound signals received from a microphone positioned within a housing that houses the UAV, determining synchronized rotation of propellers of the UAV, determining that no obstructions are present above the housing based on range finder signals; and releasing the UAV after completion of the UAV preflight procedure.

Abstract: Apparatuses for precision loading of packages for last-mile autonomous delivery are provided herein. An example apparatus includes a base; a platform rotatably supported on the base, the platform comprising at least one slot; an armature configured to protrude through the at least one slot when the at least one slot has been aligned with the armature through rotation of the base; a translating member that is configured to traverse above and across an upper surface of the platform; and a controller having at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, the controller being configured to place a package on the platform into a selected orientation through selective control of at least one of rotation of the platform, extension of the armature, translation of the translating member, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Example UAV landing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a conveyor belt capable of supporting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The conveyor belt can move in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The landing platform also includes a first positioning bumper and a second positioning bumper, where the first positioning bumper and the second positioning bumper are capable of repositioning the UAV on the conveyor belt. The landing platform further includes a cradle that can receive and secure the UAV.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to single channel line-of-sight (LOS) communication are described. The transmitting end of the LOS communication involves direct modulation of a light emitted from a light emitter. The receiving end of the LOS communication involves receiving a video stream of the light emitter emitting the light, wherein the video stream comprises a plurality of video frames that are continuous in time. The receiving end of the LOS communication also involves converting the video stream to a binary string comprising a plurality of binary bits. Each of the binary bits corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of video frames, and the binary string contains a repeated binary pattern representing a message being conveyed. The receiving end of the LOS communication also involves extracting the binary pattern from the binary string and then decoding the binary pattern to obtain the message.

Abstract: Example positioning systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a base having an aperture and multiple positioning arms attached to the base. Each of the multiple positioning arms can rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position. Additionally, each of the multiple positioning arms are configured to engage a positioning ring on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and further configured to reposition the UAV on the base.

Abstract: Apparatuses for precision loading of packages for last-mile autonomous delivery are provided herein. An example apparatus includes a base; a platform rotatably supported on the base, the platform comprising at least one slot; an armature configured to protrude through the at least one slot when the at least one slot has been aligned with the armature through rotation of the base; a translating member that is configured to traverse above and across an upper surface of the platform; and a controller having at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, the controller being configured to place a package on the platform into a selected orientation through selective control of at least one of rotation of the platform, extension of the armature, translation of the translating member, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and devices for recovering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as UAVs that are trapped in an obstacle such as a tree. In particular, a method is described, the method including determining location parameters associated with a trapped UAV; navigating to the proximity of the UAV; determining launching parameters and a target associated with the launch of a launching device; and causing the launch of a launching device towards the target. The launching device may include a tether, such that a user may pull on the tether to dislodge the trapped UAV from the tree.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a multi-drone automotive system that includes a first drone configured to carry one or more detachable drones. The first drone, which may be referred to as a carrier drone, may be mounted upon an automobile and operated in a tethered mode of flight. The detachable drones may be launched from the carrier drone to carry out untethered flight. The carrier drone and/or the detachable drones may be used for various applications. In one example application, the carrier drone may use a first camera that is mounted upon the carrier drone, to capture a first set of images during the tethered mode of flight. A detachable drone may be launched from the carrier drone in an untethered mode of flight in order to capture a second set of images by using a second camera mounted upon the detachable drone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for vehicle integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). Example methods may include coupling a landing dish of a vehicle integrated UAS to a ground station assembly; positioning the landing dish and the ground station assembly into a portion of a vehicle and a capping member of the vehicle integrated UAS; and coupling the landing dish to the capping member of the vehicle integrated UAS. In various embodiments, the vehicle integrated UAS may be configured to send and receive information (e.g., route information, power information, status information, etc.) between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) associated with the UAS to device(s) of a vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatuses for securing drones during transport and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a structural panel of a vehicle having a compartment configured to receive and retain a drone, a retractable cover member configured to at least partially cover the compartment to create an enclosure around the drone, and a drone securement assembly that retains the drone within the enclosure so as to prevent the drone from displacement during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving a package from an unmanned aerial vehicle at a rooftop package receiving station and securely holding the package at the package receiving station. The recipient, using a computing device, may prompt the package receiving station to deliver the package from the rooftop to a delivery location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for item delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles. Example methods may include receiving, by a management component communicatively coupled to at least one processor via a transceiver, instructions for a UAV, wherein the instructions include a delivery request for one or more items; determining, via a routing component, a predetermined route based on the delivery request, wherein the predetermined route maximizing a visibility of the UAV by one or more users; and accepting, by a payment component communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and at least one memory, payment for the one or more items from one or more users.

Abstract: A precision landing system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a beacon is provided. A processor of the UAV controls a flight system of the UAV to fly the UAV. The processor detects, via a sensor of the UAV, a signal emitted by a beacon. The processor controls the flight system of the UAV to land on or near the beacon. The processor also energizes one or more electromagnets on a cradle of the UAV to retrieve the beacon.

Abstract: A method of creating skin tissue is described, particularly, an in vitro or ex vivo method for creating skin tissue. The invention extends to the use of agents that disrupt the LINC complex in a skin cell to create the skin tissue, and to using the created tissue in an assay to identify or screen anti-ageing compounds. The invention further extends to model skin tissues per se, uses thereof and to kits for creating such model skin tissues.

Abstract: A launch includes a frame including a platform defining a slot designed to slideably receive a rudder of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle. The launch includes two drive wheels rotatably supported by the frame and defining a space between each other. The space is open to the slot and designed to receive the rudder. The launch includes at least one variable speed drive wheel motor supported by the frame and operatively engaged with the drive wheels.