Unmanned aerial vehicle physical metrics acquisition

A system comprising:

• a load cell grid including a plurality of load cells that form an array, each of the load cells configured to output a signal representative of a force exerted against the load cell by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) resting on the array;
• and
• a central processor configured to:
• receive signals from at least a subset of the plurality of load cells of the array;
• determine a type of the UAV based at least in part on known footprints associated with the UAV, the signals, and known locations associated with load cells contacting the UAV;
• and
• calculate a center of mass of the UAV based at least in part on the signals and the known locations associated with the load cells contacting the UAV.

A method comprising:

• receiving an assignment for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to perform a delivery of an item;
• placing the UAV upon an array of load cells in a load cell grid;
• receiving signals from a subset of load cells of the array that are in contact with the UAV, the signals including, for each load cell, at least a signal that is associated with a weight;
• associating the signals with the UAV;
• determining a type of the UAV based at least in part on known footprints associated with the UAV, the signals, and locations associated with the load cells;
• converting each signal into a weight associated with each of the load cells;
• calculating a center of mass based at least in part on the weight associated with each of the load cells and the locations associated with the load cells;
• and
• transmitting the type of the UAV and the center of mass to at least one of the UAV or another system that interfaces with the UAV.