Abstract: A method for controlling an aerial vehicle including a compliant arm mechanism is disclosed. A propulsion system of the aerial vehicle is controlled to fly the aerial vehicle to an area proximate to a surface. One or more of the propulsion system and the compliant arm mechanism are controlled such that the compliant arm mechanism contacts the surface. The compliant arm mechanism is configured to extend laterally beyond a perimeter of the propulsion system. One or more sensor signals indicating contact of the compliant arm mechanism against the surface are received via a sensor. A force at which the aerial vehicle presses against the surface is determined based on the one or more sensor signals.

Abstract: An example system for flying to a target location is provided, comprising a parent aerial vehicle and at least one child vehicle releasably coupled to the parent vehicle. The parent vehicle is configured to transport the at least one child aerial vehicle to a region containing a target location, uncouple from the at least one child aerial vehicle, and transmit information to the at least one child aerial vehicle relevant to operation of the child aerial vehicle. The child aerial vehicle comprises at least one sensor for surveillance at the target location.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for processing workpieces includes a manufacturing cell, a plurality of pallets supporting workpieces, and at least one robotic device configured to operate on the workpieces. The manufacturing system also includes first and second processing stations configured to support any one of the pallets in fixed position relative to the robotic device. The manufacturing system additionally includes at least one transport device configured to transport any one of the pallets to and from each of the first and the second processing stations. In addition, the manufacturing system includes a controller configured to coordinate the operation of the manufacturing cell in a manner allowing the robotic device to continuously operate on a workpiece supported by a pallet at the first processing station, while another pallet is transported to or from the second processing station.

Abstract: A production utilization planner (PUP) core for a manufacturing cell has a simulation manager configured to simulate the processing of workpieces arranged in a workpiece order, by performing the steps of: creating an instance of a simulation controller and an instance of a software model of the manufacturing cell, determining a next timed action to be performed by state machines, incrementing the simulation to the next timed action, updating the software model and the simulation controller each time a state machine performs a timed action, and repeating the steps of determining the next timed action, incrementing the simulation, and updating the software model and the simulation controller, until all of the workpieces have been processed. The simulation manager is configured to output a simulated completion time for processing the workpiece order.

Abstract: A flexible landing gear system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed. The flexible landing gear system may comprise a mounting bracket, a plurality of flexible supports, and plurality of surface contactors. The mounting bracket may be configured to couple to the VTOL aircraft. Each of the plurality of flexible supports comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The plurality of flexible supports may be coupled to the mounting bracket at a proximal end. A surface contactor may be positioned at the distal end of each of the plurality of flexible supports. The low-friction contactor may be a lightweight spherical ball, while the flexible support may be a flexible semi-rigid wire comprising a tempered high-carbon steel.

Abstract: A method of operating a facility includes identifying, by a controller, a ground vehicle approaching a restricted access area, and determining, by the controller, if the identified ground vehicle is authorized to enter the restricted access area. The controller permits the identified ground vehicle to enter the restricted access area when the controller determines that the identified ground vehicle is authorized to enter the restricted access area. The controller determines if an object other than the identified ground vehicle is approaching the restricted access area with the identified ground vehicle, and activates protective action when the controller determines that the identified ground vehicle is not authorized to enter the restricted access area or that an object other than the permitted ground vehicle is approaching to enter the restricted access area with the permitted ground vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable protective face covering having a first end having one or more openings spaced apart there along and a second opposing end having one or more openings spaced apart there along. A length extends therebetween for covering a mouth and nose of a wearer, and the face covering is a single use face covering that is a constructed from a unitary sheet comprised of surgical wrap, polypropylene, Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond (SMS), or cotton. The single component mask can be cut from sheets of substrate using various techniques including laser cutting, die cutting, or other machinery typically of use in clothing manufacture.

Abstract: An aircraft based object acquisition system includes an airframe capable of flight. The system includes one or more sensors configured to identify a physical characteristic of an object or an environment. An object acquisition mechanism is coupled to the airframe and configured to manipulate and secure the object to the airframe. A ground based movement system may be configured to position the airframe such that the object is accessible to the object acquisition mechanism. A processor is communicatively configured to control operation of the ground based movement system to approach the object based at least in part on information from the one or more sensors, and to control the object acquisition mechanism to pick up the object based at least in part on information from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A method of operating a facility includes identifying, by a controller, a ground vehicle approaching a restricted access area, and determining, by the controller, if the identified ground vehicle is authorized to enter the restricted access area. The controller permits the identified ground vehicle to enter the restricted access area when the controller determines that the identified ground vehicle is authorized to enter the restricted access area. The controller determines if an object other than the identified ground vehicle is approaching the restricted access area with the identified ground vehicle, and activates protective action when the controller determines that the identified ground vehicle is not authorized to enter the restricted access area or that an object other than the permitted ground vehicle is approaching to enter the restricted access area with the permitted ground vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling an aerial vehicle including a compliant arm mechanism is disclosed. A propulsion system of the aerial vehicle is controlled to fly the aerial vehicle to an area proximate to a surface. One or more of the propulsion system and the compliant arm mechanism are controlled such that the compliant arm mechanism contacts the surface. The compliant arm mechanism is configured to extend laterally beyond a perimeter of the propulsion system. One or more sensor signals indicating contact of the compliant arm mechanism against the surface are received via a sensor. A force at which the aerial vehicle presses against the surface is determined based on the one or more sensor signals.

Abstract: A manufacturing monitoring system is disclosed. The manufacturing monitoring system comprises a manufacturing workspace. Technicians wearing force sensor and/or motion capture marker equipped gloves may work within the manufacturing workspace. Motion capture cameras may ring the manufacturing workspace. Motion data from the cameras and/or force data from the gloves may be sent to a remote workstation where they may be processed and analyzed. The workstation may produce quality assessment and/or training outputs based on the motion and/or force data.

Abstract: An example system for flying to a target location is provided, comprising a parent aerial vehicle and at least one child vehicle releasably coupled to the parent vehicle. The parent vehicle is configured to transport the at least one child aerial vehicle to a region containing a target location, uncouple from the at least one child aerial vehicle, and transmit information to the at least one child aerial vehicle relevant to operation of the child aerial vehicle. The child aerial vehicle comprises at least one sensor for surveillance at the target location.

Abstract: An aircraft, system, and method for sensing and/or releasing chemical agents by an aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft, system, and method may employ a chemical sensor, a wind sensor, an imaging device for capturing environmental features, and/or a processor operably coupled therewith. The processor may be used for collecting data from the chemical sensor, the wind sensor, and the imaging device to identify a navigational waypoint and to provide commands to the chemical sensor or to the aircraft based at least in part on collected data.

Abstract: An aircraft-based object manipulation system and methods are provided herein. The system includes an airframe capable of flight. A plurality of sensors configured to identify a physical characteristic of an object. An object manipulation system is configured to adjust a position the object, and to secure the object to the airframe. A processor communicatively configured to control operation of the object manipulation system based on information from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A flexible landing gear system for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is disclosed. The flexible landing gear system may comprise a mounting bracket, a plurality of flexible supports, and plurality of surface contactors. The mounting bracket may be configured to couple to the VTOL aircraft. Each of the plurality of flexible supports comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The plurality of flexible supports may be coupled to the mounting bracket at a proximal end. A surface contactor may be positioned at the distal end of each of the plurality of flexible supports. The low-friction contactor may be a lightweight spherical ball, while the flexible support may be a flexible semi-rigid wire comprising a tempered high-carbon steel.

Abstract: A manufacturing monitoring system is disclosed. The manufacturing monitoring system comprises a manufacturing workspace. Technicians wearing force sensor and/or motion capture marker equipped gloves may work within the manufacturing workspace. Motion capture cameras may ring the manufacturing workspace. Motion data from the cameras and/or force data from the gloves may be sent to a remote workstation where they may be processed and analyzed. The workstation may produce quality assessment and/or training outputs based on the motion and/or force data.

Abstract: An aircraft based object acquisition system includes an airframe capable of flight. The system includes one or more sensors configured to identify a physical characteristic of an object or an environment. An object acquisition mechanism is coupled to the airframe and configured to manipulate and secure the object to the airframe. A ground based movement system may be configured to position the airframe such that the object is accessible to the object acquisition mechanism. A processor is communicatively configured to control operation of the ground based movement system to approach the object based at least in part on information from the one or more sensors, and to control the object acquisition mechanism to pick up the object based at least in part on information from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A welding ground apparatus comprising at least two members, the at least two members engaged and having at least one angular degree of freedom between them, the grounding apparatus including a biasing member for applying a force to at least one of the at least two members when compressed, the line of action of the force traversing a contact footprint, the contact footprint having a footprint periphery and defined by one of the at least two members.