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: Fluidic channels and pumps for active cooling of cables are described. One cable assembly includes a conductor having a length between a first end of the cable and a second end of the cable and a fluidic channel structure that at least partially surrounds the conductor along the length of the conductor. A first pump connector is coupled to a first end of the fluidic channel structure and a second pump connector is coupled to a second end of the fluidic channel structure. Motion of liquid metal, when pumped through the fluidic channel structure, distributes heat away from the conductor.

Abstract: A vehicle such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can include a heat-generating electronic device coupled with a heat exhaust element by a vibration isolating thermal connector. The thermal connector includes a first heat-conducting element configured to draw heat from the electronic device, a second heat-conducting element separated from the first heat-conducting element, and a flexible seal connected with the first and second heat-conducting elements and defining an enclosed cavity between the elements. The enclosed cavity contains a heat conducting liquid, and allows limited movement of the first and second heat conducting elements with respect to each other while maintaining thermal connection.

Abstract: A vibration isolating thermally conductive connector includes a first thermally conductive element configured to draw heat from a heat source, a second thermally conductive element separated from the first thermally conductive element, and a flexible seal connected with the first and second thermally conductive elements and defining an enclosed cavity between the elements. The enclosed cavity contains a thermally conductive liquid, and allows limited movement of the second and first thermally conductive elements with respect to each other while maintaining thermal connection.

Abstract: Microfluidic channels and pumps for active cooling of circuit boards are described. One circuit board includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel structure disposed on the substrate, the microfluidic channel structure comprising liquid metal disposed in a microfluidic channel. Liquid metal is disposed in the microfluidic channel and a pump pumps the liquid metal through the microfluidic channel to actively cool at least a portion of the circuit board.

Abstract: Microfluidic channels and pumps for active cooling of circuit boards are described. One circuit board includes a substrate and a microfluidic channel structure disposed on the substrate, the microfluidic channel structure comprising liquid metal disposed in a microfluidic channel. Liquid metal is disposed in the microfluidic channel and a pump pumps the liquid metal through the microfluidic channel to actively cool at least a portion of the circuit board.

Abstract: Fluidic channels and pumps for active cooling of cables are described. One cable assembly includes a conductor having a length between a first end of the cable and a second end of the cable and a fluidic channel structure that at least partially surrounds the conductor along the length of the conductor. A first pump connector is coupled to a first end of the fluidic channel structure and a second pump connector is coupled to a second end of the fluidic channel structure. Motion of liquid metal, when pumped through the fluidic channel structure, distributes heat away from the conductor.

Abstract: A vibration isolating thermally conductive connector includes a first thermally conductive element configured to draw heat from a heat source, a second thermally conductive element separated from the first thermally conductive element, and a flexible seal connected with the first and second thermally conductive elements and defining an enclosed cavity between the elements. The enclosed cavity contains a thermally conductive liquid, and allows limited movement of the second and first thermally conductive elements with respect to each other while maintaining thermal connection.

Abstract: A vehicle such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can include a heat-generating electronic device coupled with a heat exhaust element by a vibration isolating thermal connector. The thermal connector includes a first heat-conducting element configured to draw heat from the electronic device, a second heat-conducting element separated from the first heat-conducting element, and a flexible seal connected with the first and second heat-conducting elements and defining an enclosed cavity between the elements. The enclosed cavity contains a heat conducting liquid, and allows limited movement of the first and second heat conducting elements with respect to each other while maintaining thermal connection.