Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for field monitoring. A system for field monitoring comprises a plurality of types of sensor modules, an unmanned vehicle comprising a sensor system, and a control circuit configured to: receive onboard sensor data from the sensor system of the unmanned vehicle, detect an alert condition at a monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, select one or more types of sensor modules from the plurality of types of sensor modules to deploy at the monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, and cause the unmanned vehicle and/or one or more other unmanned vehicles to transport one or more sensor modules of the one or more types of sensor modules to the monitored area and deploy the one or more sensor modules by detaching from the one or more sensor modules at the monitored area.

Abstract: Sensory information is obtained at a drone (e.g., from sensors at the drone or deployed at other locations), and the sensory information defines the physical operating environment of the drone. The aerial drone is initially operated according to a current geographical location that is received. The sensory information is subsequently obtained, for example, from the sensors. An adjusted current geographical location of the aerial drone is selectively determined based upon an evaluation of the sensory information and a UWB beacon signal. The aerial drone is operated according to the adjusted current geographical location.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned task systems are provided that comprise multiple unmanned vehicles each comprising: a control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective unmanned vehicles to move themselves; and wherein a first control circuit of a first unmanned vehicle of the multiple unmanned vehicles is configured to identify a second unmanned vehicle carrying a first tool system configured to perform a first function, cause a notification to be communicated to the second unmanned vehicle directing the second unmanned vehicle to transfer the first tool system to the first unmanned vehicle, and direct a first propulsion system of the first unmanned vehicle to couple with the first tool system being transferred from the second unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight comprises a set of motors configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a set of wings coupled to a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle via an actuator and configured to move relative to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: control the unmanned aerial vehicle, cause the set of motors to lift the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters based on the sensor system, determine a position for the set of wings based on the condition parameters, and cause the actuator to move the set of wings to the wing position while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight.

Abstract: A request is received at each of the transceivers from a human requestor to access or move a product. The request including information concerning a DNA sample of the human requestor that has been voluntarily obtained. At each of a plurality of transceivers, the information concerning the DNA sample is compared to a list of acceptable DNAs at each of the transceivers. When a match exists and when a predetermined number of nodes confirm the match, one of the plurality of electronic nodes sends an electronic control signal to a locking mechanism at the product to unlock the locking mechanism and release the product.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that include a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; propulsion system; and a universal coupler configured to interchangeably couple with and decouple from one of multiple different tool systems each having different functions to be put into use while carried by a UAV, wherein a coupling system of the universal coupler is configured to secure a tool system with the UAV and enable a communication connection between a communication bus and the tool system, and wherein the multiple different tool systems comprise at least a package securing tool system configured to retain and enable transport of a package while being delivered, and a sensor tool system configured to sense a condition and communicate sensor data of the sensed condition to the UAV control circuit over the communication bus.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for autonomous vehicles task management and organization. A system for organizing autonomous product delivery vehicles comprises a locomotion system of a first autonomous vehicle, a communication device, a memory device, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to retrieve one or more vehicle tasks assigned to the first autonomous vehicle from a hash chain database, decrypt the task parameters with a private key of the first autonomous vehicle stored on the memory device, identify a second autonomous vehicle as a transferee of the one or more vehicle tasks based on transfer rules in the task parameters, and update the hash chain database with a new block comprising a hash of preceding data in the hash chain database and the task parameters of the one or more vehicle tasks encrypted with a public key of the second autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided herein useful to the secure delivery of merchandise using unmanned aerial vehicles forming a delivery chain. In some embodiments, the system includes: multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in which each UAV includes a motorized flight system, a navigational system, a merchandise storage system, a memory, a transceiver, and a UAV control circuit. The system further includes: a UAV delivery chain including a starting location, a delivery location, and one or more intermediate transfer locations; and a centralized storage and processing node configured to host a hash chain database containing delivery parameters of the UAVs. In the system, each UAV control circuit is configured to communicate with and cause the centralized node to: retrieve delivery parameters assigned to the UAV, decrypt the delivery parameters; identify another UAV as a transferee to accept receipt of the merchandise, and update the hash chain database.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for receiving and storing delivered items. In some embodiments, a secured delivery locker is described herein that can communicate with delivery vehicles and/or users. In several embodiments, an autonomous delivery vehicle can communicate with a secured delivery locker to authenticate itself. The secured delivery locker can then grant access to the delivery vehicle, such as by opening a door to an interior thereof, so that the delivery vehicle can deposit a package therein. The locker can then confirm receipt of the package and close the door. Thereafter, the locker and/or the delivery vehicle can update a system to indicate that the package was delivered.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for field monitoring. A system for field monitoring comprises a plurality of types of sensor modules, an unmanned vehicle comprising a sensor system, and a control circuit configured to: receive onboard sensor data from the sensor system of the unmanned vehicle, detect an alert condition at a monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, select one or more types of sensor modules from the plurality of types of sensor modules to deploy at the monitored area based on the onboard sensor data, and cause the unmanned vehicle and/or one or more other unmanned vehicles to transport one or more sensor modules of the one or more types of sensor modules to the monitored area and deploy the one or more sensor modules by detaching from the one or more sensor modules at the monitored area.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to secure access. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for securing access using decentralized biometric authentication data through a blockchain network including: a user interface product operable on a user device and configured to: receive a first one or more biometric data; receive near real-time location data associated with the first one or more biometric data; receive a token comprising a second one or more biometric data; determine whether the first one or more biometric data matches within a threshold with the second one or more biometric data; determine whether the first one or more biometric data and the second one or more biometric data are associated with the user device; determine whether the near real-time location data is within a threshold distance from a storage and retrieval system (SRS); and provide data associated with unlocking the SRS.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for unmanned flight optimization. A system for unmanned flight comprises a set of motors configured to provide locomotion to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a set of wings coupled to a body of the unmanned aerial vehicle via an actuator and configured to move relative to the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, a sensor system on the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: retrieve a task profile for a task assigned to the unmanned aerial vehicle, cause the set of motors to lift the unmanned aerial vehicle, detect condition parameters based on the sensor system, determine a position for the set of wings based on the task profile and the condition parameters, and cause the actuator to move the set of wings to the wing position while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that comprise multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system coupled with the motor and configured to enable the respective UAVs to move themselves; and wherein a first UAV control circuit of a first UAV of the multiple UAVs is configured to identify a second UAV carrying a first tool system configured to perform a first function, cause a notification to be communicated to the second UAV directing the second UAV to transfer the first tool system to the first UAV, and direct a first propulsion system of the first UAV to couple with the first tool system being transferred from the second UAV.

Abstract: A control circuit accesses 3-D printing instructions provided by a user and assesses those instructions to determine inclusion of printing authorization from a presumptive source of the 3-D printing instructions. Upon determining that the printing instructions lack such a printing authorization, the control circuit halts further use of the printing instructions. Upon determining that the printing instructions do include that printing authorization, however, the control circuit then further assesses the printing instructions to thereby further test legal suitability of using the printing instructions with the additive-material printer to form that three-dimensional object. Upon establishing the further legal suitability of using the printing instructions, the control circuit then uses the additive-material printer to form the particular three-dimensional object.

Abstract: In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that include a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; propulsion system; and a universal coupler configured to interchangeably couple with and decouple from one of multiple different tool systems each having different functions to be put into use while carried by a UAV, wherein a coupling system of the universal coupler is configured to secure a tool system with the UAV and enable a communication connection between a communication bus and the tool system, and wherein the multiple different tool systems comprise at least a package securing tool system configured to retain and enable transport of a package while being delivered, and a sensor tool system configured to sense a condition and communicate sensor data of the sensed condition to the UAV control circuit over the communication bus.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for receiving and storing delivered items. In some embodiments, a secured delivery locker is described herein that can communicate with delivery vehicles and/or users. In several embodiments, an autonomous delivery vehicle can communicate with a secured delivery locker to authenticate itself. The secured delivery locker can then grant access to the delivery vehicle, such as by opening a door to an interior thereof, so that the delivery vehicle can deposit a package therein. The locker can then confirm receipt of the package and close the door. Thereafter, the locker and/or the delivery vehicle can update a system to indicate that the package was delivered.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that for transporting and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles. The unmanned aerial vehicles may be deployed from mobile stations that include receptacles each configured to retain an unmanned aerial vehicle. The receptacles may be independently movable into relative positions that permit multiple unmanned aerial vehicles to be deployed simultaneously from the mobile stations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provide for validating products to be delivered to customers via unmanned aerial vehicles. Each UAV includes sensors configured to detect at least one actual physical characteristic and/or actual identifying characteristic of a product being loaded into the UAV and/or being transported by the UAV to a delivery destination. The actual physical characteristic information and/or the actual identifying information detected by the sensors is compared to predefined physical characteristic information and/or predefined identifying information stored in an electronic database in order to validate that the product that is being loaded into the UAV and/or being transported by the UAV is not damaged and corresponds to the order being fulfilled. If validation of one or more products is not successful, the UAV is restricted from delivering such products to the delivery destination.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided that provided for delivering products ordered by a customer of a retailer to a delivery destination designated by the ordering customer by way of having another customer pick up the ordered products at the store location of the retailer and then hand off the picked up products to an autonomous transport vehicle that delivers the handed off products to a delivery destination designated by the ordering customer.

Abstract: Input signals and a failure indication are received from an automated ground vehicle (AGV) or aerial drone. A type of failure at the AGV or aerial drone is determined based upon analyzing the failure indication and the input signals. When the type of failure is a power failure, a first control signal is transmitted that connects a back-up power source to an electrical power network of the AGV or aerial drone. Upon reception of the failure indication, a second control signal is transmitted to the AGV or aerial drone that instigates a security protection measure at the AGV or aerial drone. A third control signal that is effective to actuate a recovery assistance apparatus is transmitted. The recovery assistance apparatus, upon being actuated, replaces or repairs the failed or suspect component.