Abstract: Described herein is an elevated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) station. The elevated UAV station includes an elevated platform and a conveyance device configured to raise a payload to the elevated platform. The elevated unmanned UAV station may further include a launch device configured to cause a takeoff of a UAV from the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may further include a recovery device configured to cause a controlled landing of the UAV at the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may be associated with a payload housing structure to establish a system for payload storage and launch.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a fuselage and an anchor structure coupled to the fuselage and including a wing retention structure and a power module retention structure. The unmanned aerial vehicle may also include a wing releasably coupled to the wing retention structure, thereby coupling the wing to the fuselage, and a power module releasably coupled to the power module retention structure, thereby coupling the power module to the fuselage.

Abstract: A docking system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) includes a docking housing that defines a docking compartment, and a docking assembly coupled to the docking housing and configured to suspend the UAV within the docking compartment. The docking assembly may include a guiding feature configured to receive a docking feature of the UAV and direct the UAV toward a first captured position. The docking assembly may further include an advancement assembly operatively coupled with the guiding feature and configured to move the UAV from the first captured position to a second docked position.

Abstract: A delivery device to deliver a product from an aerial location includes a body defining a payload holding region. The delivery device may further include a coupling mechanism configured to couple the body to a primary vehicle. The delivery device may further include a control feature configured to change a flight characteristic of the body. A method for delivering a product may include positioning a first unmanned aerial vehicle within a threshold distance of a delivery location. The method may further include releasing a second unmanned vehicle from the first unmanned aerial vehicle once the first unmanned aerial vehicle is within the threshold distance. The method may further include causing the second unmanned vehicle to reach the delivery location. The method may further include activating a delivery mechanism to release the product from the second unmanned vehicle to deliver the product to the delivery location.

Abstract: Described herein is a sensor probe for association with a portion of an aircraft. The sensor probe includes a microphone assembly having a portion configured to receive audio signals. The sensor probe further includes a nosecone associated with the microphone assembly. The nosecone assembly is configured to shield the portion of the microphone assembly from noise generated by direct impact of an airflow for a plurality of local flow angles. In some examples, the nosecone includes a tip and a body portion, wherein a diameter of the body portion of the nosecone is smaller than a length of the nosecone and the nosecone is configured to mitigate drag of the sensor probe in an airflow.

Abstract: A system includes a camera configured such that a field of view of the camera is positioned to capture a base portion and a movable portion of an aircraft. A computer communicatively connected to the camera is configured to determine a relative orientation between a base identification feature of the base portion and a movable identification feature of the movable portion of the aircraft based on image data received from the camera. The computer is also configured to determine a position of the movable portion of the aircraft based on the relative orientation between the base identification feature and the movable identification feature and a position of the base portion and to compare the position of the movable portion to a reported position for the movable portion to determine a variance. An aircraft control system is configured to monitor a state of the aircraft based on the variance.

Abstract: Described herein is a sensor probe for association with a portion of an aircraft. The sensor probe includes a microphone assembly having a portion configured to receive audio signals. The sensor probe further includes a nosecone associated with the microphone assembly. The nosecone assembly is configured to shield the portion of the microphone assembly from noise generated by direct impact of an airflow for a plurality of local flow angles.

Abstract: A system may include a mobile base, a spine structure, a body structure, and at least one robotic arm, each of which is movably configured to have significant human-scale capabilities in prescribed environments. The one or more robotic arms may be rotatably coupled to the body structure, which may be mechanically associated with the mobile base, which is preferably configured for holonomic or semi-holonomic motion through human scale travel pathways that are ADA compliant. Aspects of the one or more arms may be counterbalanced with one or more spring-based counterbalancing mechanisms which facilitate backdriveability and payload features.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to construction, configuration, and utilization of humanoid robotic systems and aspects thereof are described. A system may include a mobile base, a spine structure, a body structure, and at least one robotic arm, each of which is movably configured to have significant human-scale capabilities in prescribed environments. The one or more robotic arms may be rotatably coupled to the body structure, which may be mechanically associated with the mobile base, which is preferably configured for holonomic or semi-holonomic motion through human scale travel pathways that are ADA compliant. Aspects of the one or more arms may be counterbalanced with one or more spring-based counterbalancing mechanisms which facilitate backdriveability and payload features.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes an aircraft control system that enables the safe operation of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles in the same airspace, through the use of a decentralized air traffic management system. The decentralized air traffic management system is robust against loss of communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle and does not require a centralized ground control system to coordinate the vehicles.

Abstract: Described herein is an aircraft. The aircraft includes a peripheral assembly, such as a sensor probe. The aircraft further includes a release assembly connecting the peripheral assembly to a portion of the aircraft. The release assembly is configured to separate the peripheral assembly and the portion upon receipt of a threshold force. The release assembly may be configured to allow for the quick release, such as via a snap-fit connection, between the peripheral assembly and the portion of the aircraft.

Abstract: Described herein is a sensor probe for association with a portion of an aircraft. The sensor probe includes a microphone assembly having a portion configured to receive audio signals. The sensor probe further includes a nosecone associated with the microphone assembly. The nosecone assembly is configured to shield the portion of the microphone assembly from noise generated by direct impact of an airflow for a plurality of local flow angles.

Abstract: Described herein is an elevated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) station. The elevated UAV station includes an elevated platform and a conveyance device configured to raise a payload to the elevated platform. The elevated unmanned UAV station may further include a launch device configured to cause a takeoff of a UAV from the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may further include a recovery device configured to cause a controlled landing of the UAV at the elevated platform. The elevated UAV station may be associated with a payload housing structure to establish a system for payload storage and launch.

Abstract: An acoustic detection system of an aircraft receives a first signal, where the first signal is a multichannel audio signal. The multichannel audio signal is determined to be associated with at least one intruding aircraft based on the multichannel audio signal. An avoidance maneuver is commanded for the aircraft based on a track of the intruding aircraft generated based on the multichannel audio signal and a second signal providing additional information about the intruding aircraft.

Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial System configured to receive a request from a user and fulfill that request using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Unmanned Aerial System selects a distribution center that is within range of the user, and deploys a suitable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fulfill the request from that distribution center. The Unmanned Aerial System is configured to provide real-time information about the flight route to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during its flight, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is configured to dynamically update its mission based on information received from the Unmanned Aerial System.

Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial System configured to receive a request from a user and fulfill that request using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Unmanned Aerial System selects a distribution center that is within range of the user, and deploys a suitable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fulfill the request from that distribution center. The Unmanned Aerial System is configured to provide real-time information about the flight route to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during its flight, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is configured to dynamically update its mission based on information received from the Unmanned Aerial System.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a fuselage and an anchor structure coupled to the fuselage and including a wing retention structure and a power module retention structure. The unmanned aerial vehicle may also include a wing releasably coupled to the wing retention structure, thereby coupling the wing to the fuselage, and a power module releasably coupled to the power module retention structure, thereby coupling the power module to the fuselage.

Abstract: An audio signal received at audio sensors of an aircraft is analyzed to determine directional information for a source of the audio signal. A location of the source of the audio signal is determined based on the directional information for the source of the audio signal.

Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes an automated recovery system that can recover aircraft in a reliable, economical manner, using a dual-pole and line mechanism.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle system is configured to receive vehicle commands from one or more parties and to execute those vehicle commands in a way that prevents the execution of stale commands. The autonomous vehicle system includes a finite state machine and a command counter or stored vehicle timestamp, which are used to help reject invalid or stale vehicle commands.