A landing station for an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a landing surface and a centering wheel. The centering wheel is coupled to the landing surface and has a spoke extending therefrom. The spoke is positioned to rotate relative to the landing surface in response to rotation of the centering wheel relative to the landing surface. The spoke is configured to rotate into engagement with a landing leg of the unmanned aerial vehicle to impart centrifugal force onto the landing leg sufficient to rotate the unmanned aerial vehicle toward a predetermined position on the landing surface.

A ground transporter transports a package to a package recipient location and receives a token from a token recipient, wherein receiving the token represents a verification that the ground transporter has moved to the package recipient location. The ground transporter is configured, if the token is received, to deliver the package at the package recipient location.

A ground transporter transports a package to a package recipient location and receives a token from a token recipient, wherein receiving the token represents a verification that the ground transporter has moved to the package recipient location. The ground transporter is configured, if the token is received, to deliver the package at the package recipient location.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) module includes a UAV having foldable wings coupled to a body of the UAV, a UAV case having length and width dimensions that is constructed and arranged to operate in (i) a closed configuration that stores and protects the UAV while the UAV module is transported within the UAV case between locations with the foldable wings in a folded configuration, and (ii) an opened configuration that provides a base from which the UAV launches vertically from within the UAV case while the foldable wings of the UAV remain in the folded configuration. The UAV is constructed and arranged to automatically unfold the foldable wings outwards from the body of the UAV to form a fixed wing that extends beyond the length and width dimensions of the UAV case for fixed wing horizontal flight after the UAV is airborne.

A method of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation, including: receiving from a customer a first data request, the first data request having: a first geographic coverage area; and a refresh rate for the first geographic coverage area; planning a first plurality of flight missions to accomplish the first data request; uploading flight missions data representing the first plurality of flight missions into a UAV pod; and deploying the UAV pod.

A landing pad receives and stores packages delivered from an aerial vehicle and awaiting pickup from an aerial vehicle. The landing pad can be placed outside of a window and can contain a transmitter for sending out an identification signal via radio frequency to aid aerial vehicles in finding the landing pad. The landing pad contains a landing platform with a trapdoor that leads to a storage compartment. The trapdoor can be configured to only open when it receives a signal from an authorized aerial vehicle. The storage compartment can be accessed via a storage compartment door which can contain a locking mechanism. The storage compartment can be climate controlled. The landing pad can also have a transmitter that emits sounds to discourage animals from nesting on or near the landing pad. The landing pad can also include a solar power generator as a source of electrical energy.

A response system may be provided. The response system may include an autonomous drone. The drone may include a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, and a drone sensor. The processor may be programmed to receive the deployment request from a security system, navigate to the one or more zones of the coverage area included in the deployment request, collect drone sensor data of the one or more zones of the coverage area using the at least one drone sensor, determine that an incident has occurred, and/or transmit the collected drone sensor data and incident verification to the security system, wherein, in response to receiving the collected drone sensor data and incident verification, the security system is configured to generate a command for responding to the incident.

A docking system for docking an aerial vehicle, including an interface configured to secure the docking system to a stationary element located above the ground, a housing, mechanically coupled to the interface, a docking magnetic member located in the housing, the docking magnetic member is configured to attract an aerial magnetic member of the aerial vehicle, a docking element mechanically coupled to the housing, where the docking element defines a minimal distance between the docking magnetic member and the aerial vehicle when the aerial vehicle docks in the docking system, and a maneuver mechanism for adjusting a distance between the docking element and the docking magnetic member.

A thrust collection device that provides a fixed thrust divider utilizing straight or curvilinear or arcing walls or, alternatively, a functional hatch utilizing rotatable doors, a chamber providing multiple inwardly tapering walls toward an opening into one or more access channels leading or directing, the thrust from an air driven vehicle, engine or machine such as, for example, the jet blast from a departing airplane, jet liner, or helicopter; the downward force from a landing airplane, jet liner, or helicopter; a prop driven engine; or just an engine, or into a power reserve or power generation source device to create power.

A thrust collection device that provides a fixed thrust divider utilizing straight or curvilinear or arcing walls or, alternatively, a functional hatch utilizing rotatable doors, a chamber providing multiple inwardly tapering walls toward an opening into one or more access channels leading or directing, the thrust from an air driven vehicle, engine or machine such as, for example, the jet blast from a departing airplane, jet liner, or helicopter; the downward force from a landing airplane, jet liner, or helicopter; a prop driven engine; or just an engine, or into a power reserve or power generation source device to create power.