International Business Machines Corporation

Kyndryl, Inc.

Johannes Jaco Liebenberg

Todd Russell Whitman

Guillaume Hoareau

John Gerard Musial

Utilizing blockchain ledgers with mobile robotic machines is provided. A first digital certificate is assigned to a requesting entity. The first digital certificate identifies the requesting entity within a network. A request is generated for performance of a task by a mobile robotic machine. Generating the request includes: requesting the mobile robotic machine to perform the task; receiving an acceptance of the task from the mobile robotic machine; and assigning a second digital certificate to the mobile robotic machine. The second digital certificate is signed using the first digital certificate and indicates that the mobile robotic machine is authorized to perform the task. A public key of the second digital certificate is posted to member entities of the network where other member entities responsible for an item corresponding to the task are able to use the public key to confirm authorization of the mobile robotic machine to perform the task.

Utilizing blockchain technology with mobile robotic machines

An aspect includes an agent carrier and an agent disposed in an inner cavity of the agent carrier. The agent includes an expandable foaming material and electromechanical signal blocking particles embedded in the expandable foaming material. An aspect further includes a sensor and agent release mechanism configured to release the agent from the agent carrier based at least in part on a determination, via the sensor, that the agent carrier is within a predetermined distance via the sensor from a vehicle.

Vehicle disablement and retrieval

A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

Power source element replacement during vehicle operation

According to an aspect, a package transport container for a UAV includes a manifest device having a computer processor, a receptacle including a base that secures contents of the receptacle, a locking mechanism that couples the manifest device to the receptacle during transport, and a connector coupling the manifest device to the UAV. The processor transmits material properties of the contents of the receptacle to the UAV, receives routing information for a package to be transported, monitors coordinates of the package transport container during transport, and upon determining the coordinates match coordinates of a delivery location specified in the routing information: sends a release request signal to the UAV to release the receptacle; receives a release command from the UAV; and disengages the locking mechanism to release the manifest device from the base. The routing information is determined at least in part based on the material properties of the contents.

Package transport container and transport operations for an unmanned aerial vehicle

An apparatus and method for replacing a power source element is provided. The apparatus includes a multiple compartment housing attached to a vehicle, power source elements, a controller, and a communications interface. The power source elements are placed within receptacles of the multiple compartment housing. Each power source element is electrically connected to an input power coupler for electrical connection to the vehicle such that each power source element is configured to supply power to the vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element. The controller is configured to monitor a power level of each power source element and generate an associated power level reading. The communication interface is configured to retrieve each associated power level reading from the controller and to an external system.

Power source element detection and monitoring

An aspect of vehicle navigation assistance includes generating a route based on a starting point of a vehicle and a user-inputted destination location. The route specifies a set of directions defined by location points, actions, and distance values. An aspect also includes comparing the generated route to previously travelled routes stored in the memory, identifying, from the comparing, a segment of the generated route that is in common with a segment from at least one of the previously travelled routes, and determining a frequency count indicating a number of instances that the segment of the generated route appears in the previously travelled routes. A further aspect includes upon determining that the frequency count exceeds a specified threshold value, muting output of audio-based directions through a speaker of the vehicle during traversal of the vehicle through the segment of the generated route.

Intelligent vehicle navigation assistance

Dynamically establishing a temporary safe evacuation route away from an unsafe situation using unmanned vehicles. The temporary safe evacuation route is determined based on real-time information regarding the unsafe situation. A network of unmanned vehicles are deployed and positioned at determined points along the safe evacuation route. Guidance is provided to the network of unmanned vehicles for display along the safe evacuation route by the unmanned vehicle to aid people in evacuating from the unsafe situation. Information in real time regarding the unsafe situation may be received from the unmanned vehicles. Based on the information received, the safe evacuation route may be adjusted.

Dynamically establishing a temporary safe route via a network of unmanned aerial vehicles

According to an aspect, an autonomous loading and transfer pad includes a frame having driver assembly configured to transport the frame. The frame includes a surface configured to receive a container. A communications interface is communicatively coupled to the autonomous loading and transfer pad. The autonomous loading and transfer pad also includes an order control system communicatively coupled to the communications interface. The order control system is configured to direct movement of the autonomous loading and transfer pad, via the communications interface, to a pickup point in a storage facility. The autonomous loading and transfer pad receives an item at the pickup point, directs movement of the autonomous loading and transfer pad, via the communications interface, to a transfer point external to the storage facility, and directs an autonomous pick-up and delivery vehicle, via the communications interface, to the transfer point.

Autonomous vehicle-based package pickup and transfer

According to an aspect, a distributed package transport system includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), each of which is configured to transport packages within a geographic area and along a travel route. The system also includes UAV enclosures dispersed within the geographic area. The UAV enclosures include a number of cells, each of which provides a receptacle to temporarily house a UAV. At least one of the UAV enclosures is dynamically assigned to a location within the geographic area. Each of the UAV enclosures includes a computer processor and communication network interface and, for each of the UAVs in transit, the UAV enclosures communicate information specifying an origination point, drop off point, and return point amongst each other and coordinate to define, based on locations of the UAV enclosures and capacities of the UAV enclosures, a refined travel route including a subset of the UAV enclosures to serve as hops.

Distributed, unmanned aerial vehicle package transport network

According to an aspect, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided that is capable of flying between a pick up point and a delivery point with respect to a package transfer operation. The delivery point is identifiable by the UAV through global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the delivery point and verification of a device identifier of a package docking device (PDD) associated with a package transfer request. A control processor coupled to the UAV receives a transaction packet for the operation that includes the GPS coordinates and the device identifier of the PDD associated with the request. Upon arrival of the UAV at the delivery point, the control processor verifies that a device identifier of a PDD located at the delivery point matches the device identifier in the transaction packet, implements the package transfer operation, and transmits confirmation of completion of the operation to an originator of the request.

Package transport by unmanned aerial vehicles

An aspect includes receiving, by a computer processor, a sign up request from a mobile device for a message service. The message service is configured to distribute messages spanning a time period that corresponds to an event at which the mobile device is present. A further aspect includes determining, during the course of the time period, an occurrence of a condition for triggering a first message and sending the first message to the mobile device during the time period using a wireless internet browser based protocol. The first message is transmitted over a wireless network. A further aspect includes cancelling the message service at the expiration of the time period.

Growing community of inventors

Sandton, South Africa

Johannes Jaco Liebenberg