Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle coupling apparatus for drone coupling. The unmanned aerial vehicle coupling apparatus includes a processor-based monitoring device to monitor values for each of a plurality of functions provided by a unmanned aerial vehicle and to detect when a value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a vehicle selector to receive travel routes from each of a plurality of secondary vehicles and to select a secondary vehicle based on a travel route of the secondary vehicle when the value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, and a coupling mechanism to fasten and unfasten the unmanned aerial vehicle to the secondary vehicle.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for assessing one or more features of drivers within a threshold distance of a self-driving vehicle which has sensors to monitor driving conditions on a travel route within the threshold distance, predicting the behavior of one or more vehicles within the threshold distance based on the assessment of those features, and utilizing the predicted behavior for the self-driving vehicle to drive on the travel route. Changes in the condition or usage of the travel route, the surroundings, and pedestrians and other types of vehicles in the vicinity of the travel route can go into the assessment. Changes in the assessment can alert the self-driving vehicle to change course and the way it monitors data. Information regarding other drivers can be privatized and utilized using a blockchain system.

Abstract: A system for continued navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles beyond restricted boundaries. The system comprises a monitoring device to track a geolocation corresponding to an unmanned aerial vehicle and to compare the geolocation corresponding to the unmanned aerial vehicle with a geolocation corresponding to a restricted boundary to determine a location of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to a restricted environment, and a route generator to generate an alternative navigation method to navigate the restricted environment when the unmanned aerial vehicle is located within a predetermined distance of the restricted environment.

Abstract: A bot conflict-resolution service agent (BCRSA) for addressing conflicts between bots in a target domain is disclosed. The BCRSA is configured to receive data from a target domain that includes changes made to a content of the target domain, analyze the data to identify a first change made to the content by a first bot and a second change made to the content by a second bot, determine based on the analysis that the first and second changes conflict, determine that the first and second bots are in conflict, select an amelioration action to be executed to resolve the conflict between the first and second bots from a plurality of available amelioration actions, and resolve the conflict by executing the selected amelioration action.

Abstract: A bot conflict-resolution service agent (BCRSA) for addressing conflicts between bots in a target domain is disclosed. The BCRSA is configured to receive data from a target domain that includes changes made to a content of the target domain, analyze the data to identify a first change made to the content by a first bot and a second change made to the content by a second bot, determine based on the analysis that the first and second changes conflict, determine that the first and second bots are in conflict, select an amelioration action to be executed to resolve the conflict between the first and second bots from a plurality of available amelioration actions, and resolve the conflict by executing the selected amelioration action.

Abstract: A method of operating an aerial drone companion device includes detecting a first voice command spoken by a first user. The aerial drone companion device is autonomously oriented such that an image capture device faces the first user in response to detecting the first voice command. A second voice command spoken by the first user is detected while the image capture device faces the first user. The second voice command is transmitted from the aerial drone companion device to a computer located remotely from the aerial drone companion device. A task signal is received indicating a task to be performed. The task signal is generated by the computer based on the second voice command, and the task signal is transmitted by the computer and received by the aerial drone companion device. The method includes autonomously executing the task by the aerial drone companion device.

Abstract: A system for continued navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles beyond restricted boundaries. The system comprises a monitoring device to track a geolocation corresponding to an unmanned aerial vehicle and to compare the geolocation corresponding to the unmanned aerial vehicle with a geolocation corresponding to a restricted boundary to determine a location of the unmanned aerial vehicle with respect to a restricted environment, and a route generator to generate an alternative navigation method to navigate the restricted environment when the unmanned aerial vehicle is located within a predetermined distance of the restricted environment.

Abstract: Aspects include methods, systems and computer program products for evaluating a patient for a movement disorder. The method comprises defining a patient to be evaluated and deploying a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a location of the patient. The UAV includes a patient evaluation feature and at least one sensor operably coupled to the patient evaluation feature. The UAV is positioned relative to the patient to measure a patient motor characteristic. The patient motor characteristic is measured with the at least one sensor. A movement disorder is determined based at least in part on the measured patient motor characteristic. A signal is transmitted based on the detecting the movement disorder.

Abstract: A drone identifies situational context (based on signals from at least one sensor) and selects an action in response to the situational context, based on a personality of the drone. The drone then communicates its personality to other drones within a swarm of drones, the drone being a member of the swarm of drones.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method and system including a sensor on a vehicle and a processor connected to the sensor. The processor determines a probability of falling based on input from the sensor, whether the probability of falling exceeds a threshold, and a state of an operator of the vehicle. An actuator connected to the processor receives a signal from the processor when the probability of falling exceeds the threshold and when the state of the operator includes an impaired state. Stabilizer wheels are connected to the actuator, where the signal includes a command to deploy the stabilizer wheels.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes monitoring a current location of a mobile robot in a physical space, which includes a first area separated from a second area by a selectively permeable virtual membrane, and a software requirement corresponding to the mobile robot with regard to the second area. The method further includes identifying a software state of the mobile robot that matches the software requirement, determining whether the software state of the mobile robot meets the software requirement, and allowing the mobile robot to move from the first area to the second area through the selectively permeable virtual membrane in response to determining whether the software state of the mobile robot meets the software requirement.

Abstract: A system for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes a prosthetic limb configured to receive myoelectric control signals from a user. The unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to perform an action responsive to the myoelectric control signals received by the prosthetic limb. For example, the action responsive to the myoelectric control signals may include flying to retrieve an object, flying to activate a switch, and providing a temperature reading to the user.

Abstract: A drone hotel including a plurality of compartments arranged in a docking array for selectively docking at least one drone in a compartment and a connector disposed in each compartment for providing a connection to the docked drone of the compartment, a location of the plurality of compartments in the docking array is based on a function provided in the compartment and a drone hotel control method, system, and computer program product for the same.

Abstract: A system for lubricating a machine. The system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to fly to a lubrication location proximate the machine. A supply of lubricant is carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle. A controller is configured to deliver at least part of the supply of lubricant to the machine when the unmanned aerial vehicle is at the lubrication location.

Abstract: A locust swarm amelioration method, system, and computer program product, includes detecting a locust swarm either about to form, or having formed, and controlling a drone to perform an amelioration action against the locust swarm about to form or having been formed.

Abstract: A drone road lighting method, system, and computer program product, includes detecting a need for illumination near a road and deploying a drone to perform an illumination action based on the detected need.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying visual focus points of meeting participants uses an image capture device to generate a real-time graphical representation of a physical meeting space containing collocated meeting participants. Remote display devices display the real-time graphical representation of the physical meeting space. Each remote display device is associated with a remote meeting participant located at a remote location. A viewpoint monitoring mechanism determines a remote participant visual point of focus within the real-time graphical representation. A remote participant simulator located in the physical meeting space has a unique remote participant representation for each remote meeting participant and a remote participant visual point of focus indicator associated with each remote participant representation to simulate the remote participant visual point of focus.

Abstract: A system for moving a beehive. The system includes a hive enclosure for housing a bee colony with a hive entrance to the hive enclosure. An insect detector is configured to identify undesirable insects attempting to access the hive enclosure. A door is configured to exclude the undesirable insects detected by the insect detector from passing through the hive entrance. An autonomous vehicle is coupled to the hive enclosure and is configured to automatically move the hive enclosure from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A method of operating an aerial drone companion device includes detecting a first voice command spoken by a first user. The aerial drone companion device is autonomously oriented such that an image capture device faces the first user in response to detecting the first voice command. A second voice command spoken by the first user is detected while the image capture device faces the first user. The second voice command is transmitted from the aerial drone companion device to a computer located remotely from the aerial drone companion device. A task signal is received indicating a task to be performed. The task signal is generated by the computer based on the second voice command, and the task signal is transmitted by the computer and received by the aerial drone companion device. The method includes autonomously executing the task by the aerial drone companion device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for assessing one or more features of drivers within a threshold distance of a self-driving vehicle which has sensors to monitor driving conditions on a travel route within the threshold distance, predicting the behavior of one or more vehicles within the threshold distance based on the assessment of those features, and utilizing the predicted behavior for the self-driving vehicle to drive on the travel route. Changes in the condition or usage of the travel route, the surroundings, and pedestrians and other types of vehicles in the vicinity of the travel route can go into the assessment. Changes in the assessment can alert the self-driving vehicle to change course and the way it monitors data. Information regarding other drivers can be privatized and utilized using a blockchain system.