Autonomous package delivery system
First Claim
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1. A package delivery system for use with an aircraft, the package delivery system comprising:
- a land vehicle equipped with a first processor operatively coupled with a first sensor package and a first communication transceiver, the first processor configured to navigate the land vehicle along a navigational land route based at least in part on data received via the first communication transceiver;
a perception system having a second sensor package operatively coupled with a second processor and a second communication transceiver; and
a human-system interface (HSI) device to communicate with the land vehicle and the perception system over one or more wireless links, wherein the HSI device, which is separate and apart from each of the land vehicle and the perception system, includes a third processor, a third communication transceiver, a user input device, and a display device,wherein the perception system is configured to transmit navigational commands to said land vehicle via said first communication transceiver based at least in part on data from the second sensor package, andwherein the HSI device is configured to transmit navigational commands to said land vehicle via said third communication transceiver and to receive from the land vehicle a video feed captured by the first sensor package.
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for enabling unmanned and optionally-manned cargo delivery to personnel on the ground. For example, an aircraft may be used to provide rapid response cargo delivery to widely separated small units in demanding and unpredictable conditions that pose unacceptable risks to both ground resupply personnel and aircrew. Together with a ground vehicle, packages from the aircraft may be deployed to ground personnel in disbursed operating locations without exposing the ground personnel to the aircraft'"'"'s open landing zone.
61 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A package delivery system for use with an aircraft, the package delivery system comprising:
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a land vehicle equipped with a first processor operatively coupled with a first sensor package and a first communication transceiver, the first processor configured to navigate the land vehicle along a navigational land route based at least in part on data received via the first communication transceiver; a perception system having a second sensor package operatively coupled with a second processor and a second communication transceiver; and a human-system interface (HSI) device to communicate with the land vehicle and the perception system over one or more wireless links, wherein the HSI device, which is separate and apart from each of the land vehicle and the perception system, includes a third processor, a third communication transceiver, a user input device, and a display device, wherein the perception system is configured to transmit navigational commands to said land vehicle via said first communication transceiver based at least in part on data from the second sensor package, and wherein the HSI device is configured to transmit navigational commands to said land vehicle via said third communication transceiver and to receive from the land vehicle a video feed captured by the first sensor package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A human-system interface (HSI) device to facilitate bidirectional communication with a land vehicle and a perception system mounted to an aircraft at a touchdown zone that is configured to track the land vehicle as it travels along a navigational land route between the touchdown zone and a field operator, the HSI device comprising:
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a processor; a display device; a user input device operatively coupled with the processor; and a communication transceiver operatively coupled with the processor to communicate with the land vehicle and the perception system over one or more wireless links, wherein the HSI device, which is separate and apart from each of the land vehicle and the aircraft, is configured to (1) transmit navigational commands to said land vehicle via said communication transceiver, (2) receive from the land vehicle a video feed captured by a first sensor package positioned on said land vehicle via said communication transceiver, and (3) receive from the perception system location data reflecting the land vehicle'"'"'s position along the navigational land route, wherein the location data is generated by a second sensor package of the perception system that is positioned on the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for use in an aerial package delivery system, the UGV comprising:
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a chassis to support a package; an optical payload to generate a video feed of a geographic area; a communication transceiver to facilitate bidirectional communication with a human-system interface (HSI) device and a perception system over one or more wireless links, wherein the perception system is coupled to an aircraft at a touchdown zone within the geographic area; and a processor operatively coupled with each of the communication transceiver and the optical payload, wherein the processor is configured to navigate the UGV along a navigational land route from the touchdown zone to a field operator based on navigational commands received from the HSI device or the aircraft via the communication transceiver, and to transmit the video feed to the HSI device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification