Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: Mechanical vibrations are generated on a frame of an aerial vehicle as a response to operation of the aerial vehicle, such as rotation of motors and/or propellers. Likewise, environmental conditions, such as wind, humidity, etc., may also cause vibrations on the frame of aerial vehicles. These vibrations may be destructive to the aerial vehicle, impact stability of the aerial vehicle, and/or result in audible sounds. Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring and/or predicting the vibrations on the frame of the aerial vehicle, generating anti-vibrations, and outputting those anti-vibrations such that the anti-vibrations modify vibrations on the frame of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle are provided wherein influences of ground effects (e.g., which may increase the effective thrusts of propellers by interfering with the respective airflows) are utilized for sensing the ground or other surfaces. In various implementations, operating parameters of the automated aerial vehicle are monitored to determine when ground effects are influencing the parameters associated with the propellers, which correspondingly indicate proximities to a surface (e.g., the ground). Such ground effect sensing techniques may be utilized as a backup to other sensors (e.g., which may be determined to not be functioning properly and/or may be otherwise inhibited due factors such as to rain, snow, fog, reflections, bright sunlight, etc.).

Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) which fly to destinations (e.g., for delivering items) may land on transportation vehicles (e.g., delivery trucks, etc.) for temporary transport. An agreement with the owner of the transportation vehicles (e.g., a shipping carrier) may be made, and the associated transportation vehicles that are available for landings may be identified by markers on the roof or other identification techniques. Different types of communications may be provided as part of a landing process (e.g., a notification regarding a proposed landing may be sent including a request for a confirmation that the proposed landing is acceptable, etc.). The routes of the transportation vehicles may be known and utilized to determine locations where UAVs will land on and take off from the transportation vehicles.

Abstract: An adapter bracket for retrofitting an existing troffer light fixture includes one of a channel, a base portion, and a frame member, each configured to rest on a T-bar of a ceiling system. The channel is configured to receive and retain a portion of a troffer housing for the existing troffer light fixture. The base portion is configured to support the troffer housing along a full length of the troffer housing. The frame member defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of a troffer door assembly. The aperture includes a slot and a notch, where the notch is defined adjacent to the slot and is narrower than the slot. Each of the base portion, the channel, and the frame member includes a mounting surface configured to engage with a retainer of the troffer door assembly.

Abstract: A retrofit assembly for retrofitting an existing light fixture having an existing housing includes a base, a first mounting member selectively repositionable relative to the base, the first mounting member including a first flange configured to selectively couple the first mounting member to the existing housing, a second mounting member selectively repositionable relative to the base, the second mounting member including a second flange configured to selectively couple the second mounting member to the existing housing, and a lighting element coupled to the base.

Abstract: A retrofitting kit includes at least one of an adapter bracket and a retainer configured to engage at least one of an existing troffer light fixture and a T-bar of a ceiling system and a door assembly configured to be held in the ceiling system by the at least one of the adapter bracket and the retainer. The door assembly has a housing, the housing including one or more sidewalls, where the one or more sidewalls extend upward to define a cavity, and a plurality of LEDs having primary light axes extending inward into the cavity. The plurality of LEDs are coupled to the one or more sidewalls and positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the housing from behind with a uniform distribution of light when engaged.

Abstract: A retrofit assembly for retrofitting an existing light fixture having an existing housing includes a base, a first mounting member selectively repositionable relative to the base, the first mounting member including a first flange configured to selectively couple the first mounting member to the existing housing, a second mounting member selectively repositionable relative to the base, the second mounting member including a second flange configured to selectively couple the second mounting member to the existing housing, and a lighting element coupled to the base.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of a multi-propeller aerial vehicle (MPAV). The components of the MPAV are designed for easy manufacture, assembly, configuration and replacement. Likewise, the configuration of the MPAV is designed for increased flight duration.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle are provided wherein influences of ground effects (e.g., which may increase the effective thrusts of propellers by interfering with the respective airflows) are utilized for sensing the ground or other surfaces. In various implementations, operating parameters of the automated aerial vehicle are monitored to determine when ground effects are influencing the parameters associated with the propellers, which correspondingly indicate proximities to a surface (e.g., the ground). Such ground effect sensing techniques may be utilized as a backup to other sensors (e.g., which may be determined to not be functioning properly and/or may be otherwise inhibited due factors such as to rain, snow, fog, reflections, bright sunlight, etc.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an automated aerial vehicle are provided wherein influences of ground effects (e.g., which may increase the effective thrusts of propellers by interfering with the respective airflows) are utilized for sensing the ground or other surfaces. In various implementations, operating parameters of the automated aerial vehicle are monitored to determine when ground effects are influencing the parameters associated with each of the propellers, which correspondingly indicate proximities to a surface (e.g., the ground). Utilizing such techniques, proximities of different portions of an automated aerial vehicle to the ground or other surfaces may be determined (e.g., for detecting issues with an uneven landing area, a sloped ground, etc.).

Abstract: This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) configured to autonomously deliver items of inventory to various destinations. The UAV may receive inventory information and a destination location and autonomously retrieve the inventory from a location within a materials handling facility, compute a route from the materials handling facility to a destination and travel to the destination to deliver the inventory.

Abstract: A retrofitting kit for retrofitting an existing troffer light fixture having a troffer housing includes a door assembly and a retainer including a flange. The flange is deformable between a first position and a second position. The light source is within the housing. The retainer includes the flange coupled to the housing of the door assembly. The retainer is configured to engage at least one of the troffer housing and a T-bar of a ceiling system to thereby selectively secure the door assembly within the ceiling system when the flange is in the first position. The retainer is further configured to facilitate at least one of installation and removal of the door assembly when the flange is in the second position.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an automated mobile vehicle that includes one or more distance determining elements configured to detect the presence of objects and to cause the automated mobile vehicle to alter its path to avoid the object. For example, a distance determining element may be incorporated into one or more of the motors of the automated mobile vehicle and configured to determine a distance to an object. Based on the determined distance, a path of the automated mobile vehicle may be altered.

Abstract: A retrofit light fixture for retrofitting an existing strip-style light fixture, the retrofit light fixture includes a housing, a light emitting diode, a driver, and a bracket. The housing includes a base portion, a side portion, and an end cap. The housing defines an interior space. At least one of the base portion and the side portion define an elongated opening. The driver is disposed within the interior space of the housing and configured to interface with the light emitting diode. The bracket includes a body and a locking flange. The locking flange is configured to selectively engage with a portion of a housing of the existing strip-style light fixture. The bracket is slidably coupled to the housing with a fastener that extends through the elongated opening. The bracket is selectively repositionable between a disengaged orientation and an engaged orientation.