A launchpad is sized and shaped to accommodate an autonomous vehicle (AV) that includes at least one vehicle sensor. The launchpad includes one or more launchpad sensors located on or around the launchpad. A control subsystem receives launchpad sensor data from the launchpad sensor(s) and AV sensor data from the vehicle sensor(s). In response to the request for departure of the AV, the control subsystem determines, based at least in part upon the launchpad sensor data, whether the launchpad is free of obstructions that would prevent departure from the launchpad and determines, based at least in part upon the AV sensor data, whether the region in front of the AV is clear of obstructions that would prevent movement away from the launchpad. If both the launchpad and the region in front of the AV are free of obstructions, the AV is permitted to begin driving autonomously.

A UAV launch system including a launch rack mounted at altitude, and housing one or more UAVs, and a ground station. The ground station may activate the UAVs for a high-altitude launch. In a further aspect, the UAVs are configured for a stationary, high-altitude launch, without low altitude launch features. Launching a UAV from a high-altitude (greater than about 30 meters or 100 feet) fixed location like an Aerostat or tall building allows the designer to eliminate much of the functionality required for launching the UAV from low altitude as well as ignore the aerodynamics required to support launch (e.g. near-stall) flight conditions.

Embodiments of the present invention are an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) severe low-power protection method and a UAV. The method includes: first acquiring ground environment information when the UAV is in a severe low-power protection state, and then obtaining landing safety judgment information according to the ground environment information, and further controlling a flight state of the UAV according to the landing safety judgment information to realize a safe landing of the UAV. The foregoing method reduces the probability of explosion of the UAV, avoids injury accidents, and improves flight safety when the UAV is in a severe low-power state.

Disclosed are a precise landing method using a multi-pattern in an unmanned aerial control system and an apparatus therefor. In an aspect of the present invention, a precise landing method using a multi-pattern of an unmanned aerial robot in an unmanned aerial control system includes receiving an image value from an outside and recognizing a multi-pattern in which control information for precise landing control has been coded based on the image value, obtaining control information when an ID value included in the control information indicates a landing point, moving to the landing point based on the control information, and performing landing at the landing point, and recognizing the multi-pattern again if the landing is not completed. A landing area for the landing of the unmanned aerial robot may include the landing point and the multi-pattern. The multi-pattern may include a first multi-pattern and a second multi-pattern. The first multi-pattern may have a greater size than the second multi-pattern.

Embodiments of the present invention are a returning method, a controller, an unmanned aerial vehicle and a storage medium. The returning method includes: first obtaining a flight mode of an unmanned aerial vehicle, and determining a returning mode of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the flight mode; then controlling, according to the returning mode, the unmanned aerial vehicle to return from a current position to a landing point, and determining, in a returning process, whether to switch the returning mode of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to a flight speed of the unmanned aerial vehicle; returning according to a switched returning mode when it is determined to switch the returning mode of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and keeping the current returning mode and returning when it is determined not to switch the returning mode of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The present disclosure provides a launching mechanism for a drone that is housed within a container. The launching mechanism is also housed within the container and is disposed at the bottom portion of the container such that the effect of its activation causes the drone to move along a container axis defined by the longitudinal axis of the container, at a direction towards a top cover of the container and eject therethrough during the launching process. The launching mechanism includes two elements, each has a receptacle portion, wherein the receptacle portion of one of the elements is received within the receptacle portion of the second element. The two receptacle portions, when one is received within the other, confine an inner space. One of the elements is a static element that is fixed to the container, and the other element is a dynamic element that upon application of force along the container axis in the direction of the top cover is free to move in the force direction and to push the drone that is disposed between it and the top cover of the container. A pressure generator of the launching mechanism is configured for controllably causing an abrupt increase of pressure in the inner space, thus generating a propelling force along the container axis in the direction of the top cover that pushes the drone and causing its launching out of the container. The dynamic element is detachably attached to the static element such that when the propelling force exceeds a certain value, the two elements detach one from the other and the dynamic element continues to move along the container axis.

A system for recharging an autonomous aerial vehicle includes a base, a supply boom, a receiving basket, a centering device, and a locking device. The supply boom includes a tip and first recharger. The receiving basket has an inner wall delimiting a cavity that may receive the tip of the supply boom. The receiving basket including a second recharger that is complementary to the first recharger. One of the supply boom and the receiving basket is mounted on the autonomous aerial vehicle while the other is mounted on the base. The centering device centers the tip of the supply boom in the cavity of the receiving basket. The locking device is controlled by a controller and locks the supply boom in the receiving basket.

A mobile drone communication control station which has capabilities of fueling hydrogen or liquid hydrogen drone, communication control for the drone, communication to the remote pilot center and the edge computing system for analyzing the photos taken from the drone.

Example UAV landing systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a conveyor belt capable of supporting an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The conveyor belt can move in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The landing platform also includes a first positioning bumper and a second positioning bumper, where the first positioning bumper and the second positioning bumper are capable of repositioning the UAV on the conveyor belt. The landing platform further includes a cradle that can receive and secure the UAV.

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for lifting drones to a desired height before launching. In one exemplary embodiment, a drone elevator system includes a looped cable that is engaged to a pair of pulleys. A first pulley of the pair of pulleys is coupled to a lighter-than-air craft and the second pulley is attached to a motor. The lighter-than-air craft moves upwards so as to raise the first pulley skywards and place the looped cable at an angle with respect to the ground. The motor is then operated to rotate the second pulley for moving the looped cable. The cable includes a set of tethers each of which is used to tether a drone. Each tether includes an extension arm that prevents the tethered drone from making contact with the cable when being lifted. Each tethered drone can be launched after being lifted to a desired height.