Abstract: Item mortality, such as failure rates and expected remaining lifespan, may be determined based on tracked environmental conditions during transit, such as vibration, temperature, and other conditions. For complex items, multiple different internal components may have varying degrees of susceptibility to damage from unfavorable conditions, with each of the components able to individually cause a failure of the entire item. Thus, the specific set of internal components may drive item mortality prediction. Sensors may be located in shipping containers that share data collected throughout the supply chain, using a blockchain, to increase confidence in the integrity of the data. The use of mortality models generated with anonymized component or process data may enable manufacturers to protect trade secrets, such as the specific components or manufacturing processes used, even while leveraging the manufacturer's detailed knowledge of an item.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle for delivering a package. The aerial vehicle having a package deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle. The package deployment system having a spool coupled to the aerial vehicle, a lowering line fixedly coupled to the spool at a first end, the lowering line having a second end secured to a grasping device, and a cutting device coupled to one of the spool or the lowering line. The aerial vehicle also having a package coupled to the grasping device and a monitoring system couple to one of the aerial vehicle or the package deployment system. The package deployment system is configured to deliver the package at a delivery location. The cutting device is configured to sever the lowering line to deliver the package. A method for delivering a package with an aerial vehicle having the package deployment system.

Abstract: System and methods for managing one or more unmanned aerial vehicles. The system can include an unmanned aerial vehicle, a landing station for the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a loading station for receiving a package and unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle can be configured to: (i) determine a first confidence level for landing on the landing station, (ii) travel, based on the first confidence level, to the landing station, and (iii) determine a second confidence level for delivering the package to a delivery destination. The loading station can be configured to: (i) receive the second confidence level to deliver the package to the delivery destination from the unmanned aerial vehicle, and (ii) confirm, based on the second confidence level, the unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of delivering the package to the delivery destination.

Abstract: Item mortality, such as failure rates and expected remaining lifespan, may be determined based on tracked environmental conditions during transit, such as vibration, temperature, and other conditions. For complex items, multiple different internal components may have varying degrees of susceptibility to damage from unfavorable conditions, with each of the components able to individually cause a failure of the entire item. Thus, the specific set of internal components may drive item mortality prediction. Sensors may be located in shipping containers that share data collected throughout the supply chain, using a blockchain, to increase confidence in the integrity of the data. The use of mortality models generated with anonymized component or process data may enable manufacturers to protect trade secrets, such as the specific components or manufacturing processes used, even while leveraging the manufacturer's detailed knowledge of an item.

Abstract: Methods and systems of utilizing a drone for a package delivery are provided. An example method can include: receiving, by a central server, a request from a customer device, the request comprising one or more ordered items and a delivery destination; determining, by a processor at a central server and based on the request, instructions of a flight mission for a drone at a distribution center; instructing a first control system at a distribution center to place the ordered items into a bag; loading the bag into one of a plurality of cargo bays; providing the instructions of the flight mission to a second control system to control the drone to navigate to the delivery destination; and controlling the drone by the second control system to automatically release the bag with the ordered items from the cargo bay, the cargo bay remaining with the drone.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle for delivering a package includes a package deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle, a package coupled to the securing point, and a monitoring system couple to one of the aerial vehicle or the package deployment system. The package deployment system includes a spool coupled to the aerial vehicle; a lowering line fixedly coupled to the spool at a first end, the lowering line having a bitter end at a second end, a securing point coupled to the lowering line between the first end and the second end, and the bitter end coupled to the aerial vehicle at a securing device. The package deployment system is configured to deliver the package at a delivery location and the securing device is configured to release the bitter end to deliver the package. A method for delivering a package with an aerial vehicle having the package deployment system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for iteratively planning autonomous vehicle missions with additional security. A system configured as disclosed herein generates a preliminary mission profile and a preliminary route for executing the mission. This information is transmitted to multiple third parties which can provide real-time updates regarding the proposed plan, and the system can iteratively update the proposed plan. In addition, the system can receive preliminary approval of the mission from regulatory bodies. Upon finalizing the plan, the system can receive an updated, final approval from the regulatory body, then store the mission and the mission-formation history in a blockchain on the autonomous vehicle. This blockchain can then be used for the execution of the mission.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle for delivering a package. The aerial vehicle having a package deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle. The package deployment system having a spool coupled to the aerial vehicle, a lowering line fixedly coupled to the spool at a first end, the lowering line having a second end secured to a grasping device, and a cutting device coupled to one of the spool or the lowering line. The aerial vehicle also having a package coupled to the grasping device and a monitoring system couple to one of the aerial vehicle or the package deployment system. The package deployment system is configured to deliver the package at a delivery location. The cutting device is configured to sever the lowering line to deliver the package. A method for delivering a package with an aerial vehicle having the package deployment system.

Abstract: System and methods for managing one or more unmanned aerial vehicles. The system can include an unmanned aerial vehicle, a landing station for the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a loading station for receiving a package and unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle can be configured to: (i) determine a first confidence level for landing on the landing station, (ii) travel, based on the first confidence level, to the landing station, and (iii) determine a second confidence level for delivering the package to a delivery destination. The loading station can be configured to: (i) receive the second confidence level to deliver the package to the delivery destination from the unmanned aerial vehicle, and (ii) confirm, based on the second confidence level, the unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of delivering the package to the delivery destination.

Abstract: An assembly for reducing a pendulum effect of a package suspended from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The assembly includes a curved rail having a first rail connection and a second rail connection, the first rail connection and the second rail connection rotationally coupling the curved rail to a body of the UAV. The assembly includes a trolley assembly moveably coupled to the curved rail, the trolley assembly comprising a housing having a first trolley with four wheels and a second trolley with four wheels. The assembly includes a tether coupled to the housing of the trolley assembly, the tether configured to couple to the package. The assembly allows movement of the package in three-axes with respect to the UAV.