SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED HANDOFF BETWEEN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES AND AUTONOMOUS GROUND VEHICLES

1 . A method for facilitating a package exchange between an AGV and UAV, comprising:

transmitting authentication information between the AGV and the UAV to authenticate the package exchange;

determining with the UAV viable exchange locations based on the mission and capabilities of the UAV;

determining with the AGV viable exchange locations based on the mission and capabilities of the AGV;

negotiating the exchange location between the UAV and the AGV based on the respective viable exchange locations;

determining a first set of positioning information, wherein the AGV utilizes mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors;

determining a second set of positioning information, wherein the UAV utilizes mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors;

transmitting the first set of positioning information from the AGV to the UAV;

transmitting the second set of positioning information from the UAV to the AGV;

aligning the UAV and the AGV with respect to each other to exchange the package based on the transmitted first and second sets of positioning information;

opening the AGV to allow access to a receptacle therein;

exchanging the package between the AGV and the UAV; and

closing the AGV to deny access to the receptacle.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising determining, via a central station, a UAV and AGV pairing based on at least one of mission information, location information regarding the UAV and AGV, and operation information regarding the UAV and AGV.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether exchanging the package is viable based on the mission information and the information obtained from one or more sensors.

4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising transmitting a signal indicating that exchanging the package is not viable if exchanging the package is not viable.

5 . The method of claim 3 further comprising determining the viable exchange location based on at least one of speed, direction, and altitude of the UAV and AGV.

6 . The method of claim 1 wherein opening the AGV further comprises moving a retractable hood including two portions along two separate tracks to uncover the receptacle located in the AGV.

7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising placing the package within the receptacle.

8 . The method of claim 6 further comprising removing the package from the receptacle.

9 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising moving the retractable hood portions in opposing directions along the separate tracks.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of authenticating the package exchange between the AGV and UAV further comprises utilizing public key authentication.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises at least one of a video camera, infrared camera, RADAR sensor, LIDAR sensor, or infrared sensor.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mission information comprises package destination package origination location, package weight, and special instructions for handling of the package.

13 . A system for facilitating a package exchange between an AGV and UAV comprising:

a central station comprising at least one computer processor capable of determining a pairing between a UAV and a AGV;

wherein the UAV comprises at least one computer processor capable of determining a first set of positioning information based on mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors, transmission means for transmitting the first set of positioning information to the AGV, and a package grasping member capable of grasping and maneuvering the package;

wherein the AGV comprises at least one computer processor capable of determining a second set of positioning information based on mission information and information obtained from one of more sensors, transmission means for transmitting the second set of positioning information to the UAV, and a receptacle for storing the package.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the UAV computer processor is capable of authenticating the package exchange between the AGV and the UAV.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the AGV computer processor is capable of authenticating the package exchange between the AGV and the UAV.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the mission information comprises package destination package origination location, package weight, and special instructions for handling of the package.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the central station computer processor is further capable of determining a UAV and AGV pairing.

18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the AGV computer processor and the UAV computer processor is capable of determining whether exchanging the package is viable based on the mission information and the information obtained from one or more sensors.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein at least one of the UAV transmitting means or the AGV transmitting means transmits a signal indicating that exchanging the package is not viable if exchanging the package is not viable.

20 . A method for facilitating a package exchange between an AGV and UAV comprising:

determining, via a central station, a UAV and AGV pairing based on at least one of mission information, location information regarding the UAV and AGV, and operation information regarding the UAV and AGV;

authenticating the package exchange between the AGV and the UAV, without the AGV and the UAV each transmit authentication information to each other;

determining a meeting point location based on at least one of speed, direction, and altitude of the UAV and AGV;

determining a first set of positioning information, wherein the AGV utilizes mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors;

determining a second set of positioning information, wherein the UAV utilizes mission information and information obtained from one or more sensors;

transmitting the first set of positioning information from the AGV to the UAV;

transmitting the second set of positioning information from the UAV to the AGV;

determining whether exchanging the package is viable based on the mission information and the information obtained from one or more sensors;

transmitting a signal indicating that exchanging the package is not viable if exchanging the package is not viable;

one of placing the package within a receptacle in the AGV or removing the package form within a receptacle in the AGV;

transmitting a confirmation signal to the central station.