Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes one or more sources of propulsion coupled to provide propulsion to the UAV, and a power source coupled to power the one or more sources of propulsion. A communication system is coupled to communicate with an external device, and a controller is coupled to the communication system, the power source, and the one or more sources of propulsion. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the UAV to perform operations, including: measuring a status of the UAV; sending the status of the UAV to the external device; receiving movement instructions from the external device; and engaging the one or more sources of propulsion to move the UAV from a first location to a second location within a storage facility.

Abstract: An energy dispersion plug for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a blunt head section, a wedge section, and a rim section. The blunt head section has an outer side for receiving an impact force and an inner side opposite the outer side. The wedge section has a base end and a distal end opposite the base end. The wedge section extends at the base end from the inner side of the blunt head section towards the distal end and the distal end has a smaller cross-sectional area than the base end. The wedge section is shaped and sized to fit into an open end of a hollow structural member of the UAV and to transfer impact energy incident upon the blunt head section into the hollow structural member to shatter the hollow structural member into fragments.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes one or more sources of propulsion, a power source, and communication system. The UAV also includes a controller coupled to the communication system, the power source, and the one or more sources of propulsion. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the UAV to perform operations, including measuring a power source charge level of the UAV; sending a signal including the power source charge level of the UAV to an external device; receiving movement instructions from the external device; and engaging the one or more sources of propulsion to move the UAV from a first location on a storage rack to a second location within a storage facility.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes one or more sources of propulsion coupled to provide propulsion to the UAV, and a power source coupled to power the one or more sources of propulsion. A communication system is coupled to communicate with an external device, and a controller is coupled to the communication system, the power source, and the one or more sources of propulsion. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the UAV to perform operations, including: measuring a status of the UAV; sending the status of the UAV to the external device; receiving movement instructions from the external device; and engaging the one or more sources of propulsion to move the UAV from a first location to a second location within a storage facility.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes one or more sources of propulsion, a power source, and communication system. The UAV also includes a controller coupled to the communication system, the power source, and the one or more sources of propulsion. The controller includes logic that when executed by the controller causes the UAV to perform operations, including measuring a power source charge level of the UAV; sending a signal including the power source charge level of the UAV to an external device; receiving movement instructions from the external device; and engaging the one or more sources of propulsion to move the UAV from a first location on a storage rack to a second location within a storage facility.

Abstract: A modular housing structure for housing a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a plurality of housing segments and a plurality of landing pads. The plurality of housing segments are shaped to mechanically join together to define an interior of the modular housing structure. The individual housing segments have a common structural shape that repeats when assembled to form the modular housing structure. The plurality of landing pads are positioned within the individual housing segments, each of the landing pads sized to physically support and charge a corresponding one of the UAVs.

Abstract: An example method involves determining an expected demand level for a first type of a plurality of types of transport tasks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the first type of transport tasks associated with a first payload type. Each of the UAVs is physically reconfigurable between at least a first and a second configuration corresponding to the first payload type and a second payload type, respectively. The method also involves determining based on the expected demand level for the first type of transport tasks, (i) a first number of UAVs having the first configuration and (ii) a second number of UAVs having the second configuration. The method further involves, at or near a time corresponding to the expected demand level, providing one or more UAVs to perform the transport tasks, including at least the first number of UAVs.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to self-deployment of operational infrastructure by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, a control system may determine operational location(s) from which a group of UAVs is to provide aerial transport services in a geographic area. For at least a first of the operational location(s), the system may cause a first UAV from the group to perform an infrastructure deployment task that includes (i) a flight from a source location to the first operational location and (ii) installation of operational infrastructure at the first operational location by the first UAV. In turn, this may enable the first UAV to operate from the first operational location, as the first UAV can charge a battery of the first UAV using the operational infrastructure installed at the first operational location and/or can carry out item transport task(s) at location(s) that are in the vicinity of the first operational location.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dedicated to deployment of operational infrastructure, with such deployment enabling charging of a battery of a UAV from a group of UAVs. More specifically, the group of UAVs may include at least (i) a first UAV of a first type configured to deploy operational infrastructure and (ii) a second UAV of a second type configured to carry out a task other than deployment of operational infrastructure. With this arrangement, a control system may determine an operational location at which to deploy operational infrastructure, and may cause the first UAV to deploy operational infrastructure at the operational location. Then, the control system may cause the second UAV to charge a battery of the second UAV using the operational infrastructure deployed by the first UAV at the operational location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assembling a UAV includes connecting a wing spar with boom carriers to form an H-frame. The wing spar provides mounting locations for securing horizontal propulsion units, and the boom carriers provide mounting locations for securing vertical propulsion units. The method also includes attaching a fuselage body to the wing spar; attaching a pre-formed wing shell to the H-frame; and attaching pre-formed individual boom shells to their corresponding boom carriers. The H-frame provides structural frame for mounting the wing shell and the boom shells.

Abstract: An energy dispersion plug for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a blunt head section, a wedge section, and a rim section. The blunt head section has an outer side for receiving an impact force and an inner side opposite the outer side. The wedge section has a base end and a distal end opposite the base end. The wedge section extends at the base end from the inner side of the blunt head section towards the distal end and the distal end has a smaller cross-sectional area than the base end. The wedge section is shaped and sized to fit into an open end of a hollow structural member of the UAV and to transfer impact energy incident upon the blunt head section into the hollow structural member to shatter the hollow structural member into fragments.

Abstract: A modular fuselage for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a battery module, an avionics module, and a mission payload module. The battery module houses a battery to power the UAV. The avionics module houses flight control circuitry of the UAV. The mission payload module houses equipment associated with a mission of the UAV. The battery module, the avionics module, and the mission payload module are detachable from each other and mechanically securable to each other to contiguously form at least a portion of the modular fuselage of the UAV.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system for securing a solar tracking device support member to a ground surface. A receiving member is adapted to receive the solar tracking device support member, and an anchor member including an elongate anchor shaft having a longitudinal axis, at least one ground pull-out restraining member disposed on a lower portion of the anchor shaft, and an expanded portion of the anchor shaft disposed longitudinally on an upper portion of the anchor shaft and adapted to support the receiving member. An uppermost portion of the upper portion of the anchor shaft is adapted to pass through an opening in the solar tracking device support. A biasing member is disposed about the uppermost portion of the anchor shaft, and a fastener is removably received on a distal end of the upper portion of the anchor shaft.