Abstract: An automated system is provided that receives and utilizes travel related data from unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) for optimizing the scheduling and routing of deliveries by UAVs. Travel routes through delivery areas are planned and when it is determined that a first UAV has deviated from a planned travel route to avoid a location in an area, a second UAV (e.g., which may have additional sensors and/or recording capabilities) may be sent to collect updated travel related data regarding the location. The updated travel related data (e.g., which may indicate that there is a new obstacle, a source of magnetic interference, a wind, etc. at the location) may be utilized for planning future travel routes for deliveries.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating an autonomous operation, such as an autonomous navigation, of an unmanned vehicle based on one or more fiducials. For example, image data of a fiducial may be generated with an optical sensor of the unmanned vehicle. The image data may be analyzed to determine a location of the fiducial. A location of the unmanned vehicle may be estimated from the location of the fiducial and the image. The autonomous navigation of the unmanned vehicle may be directed based on the estimated location.

Abstract: An automated system is provided that receives and utilizes travel related data from unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) and other sources (e.g., data aggregators, weather services, obstacle databases, etc.) for optimizing the scheduling and routing of deliveries by UAVs. The travel related data that is received from the sensors of UAVs and other sources may indicate the locations and characteristics of obstacles, weather, crowds of people, magnetic interference, etc., which may be evaluated and utilized for determining and updating flight plans for UAVs. In various implementations, the travel related data received from the sensors of a UAV may be combined with other travel related data and stored (e.g., at a central management system, in UAVs, etc.) for further analysis and use in determining UAV delivery schedules and related operations of materials handling facilities.

Abstract: A UAV tethering system provides an environment in which to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) where the tether is selected to prevent the UAV from unintentional contact with the ground or other objects within the flight area. A tether may connect the UAV to a shuttle that slides along a track. The tether may be used to provide efficient, robust and accurate positioning information. The system can be configured to detect the angle at which the tethering line extends from the shuttle, the length of the extended tethering line, and then compute the position of the UAV relative to the shuttle. Furthermore, by knowing the position of the shuttle, the absolute position of the UAV can be determined.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating an autonomous operation, such as an autonomous navigation, of an unmanned vehicle based on one or more fiducials. For example, image data of a fiducial may be generated with an optical sensor of the unmanned vehicle. The image data may be analyzed to determine a location of the fiducial. A location of the unmanned vehicle may be estimated from the location of the fiducial and the image. The autonomous navigation of the unmanned vehicle may be directed based on the estimated location.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating an autonomous operation, such as an autonomous navigation, of an unmanned vehicle based on one or more fiducials. For example, image data of a fiducial may be generated with an optical sensor of the unmanned vehicle. The image data may be analyzed to determine a location of the fiducial. A location of the unmanned vehicle may be estimated from the location of the fiducial and the image. The autonomous navigation of the unmanned vehicle may be directed based on the estimated location.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a thrusting motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, it may be determined if the horizontal airspeed of the UAV exceeds an airspeed threshold. If the horizontal airspeed exceeds the airspeed threshold, the thrusting motor may be engaged and the thrusting propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: A secured storage container for transporting storage devices from a data center to a destruction center for degaussing or other destruction techniques. The secured storage container can include a scanner for reading a barcode on the storage devices for inventory tracking. The container can also include a lid that is opened via a security badge for removing the storage devices from the container. A GPS-based tracking module can be used to ensure the container's location is aligned with a route to the destruction center. Finally, the container can have a moveable floor that moves upward as storage devices are removed so that a technician can easily remove all of the storage devices in the container.