Systems and methods related to landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a UAV on a surface of a landing platform. The method may further include operating a positioning device disposed under the surface to locate the UAV. The method may further include operating the positioning device to move the UAV to a location and/or an orientation on the surface. The UAV may comprise landing gear having a plurality of legs, where each leg comprises a shock absorption system. The method may further include operating the shock absorption system during the receiving operation to reduce force received at stress areas of the UAV, and after the receiving operation, operating the shock absorption system to dampen movement by the UAV. Related devices and systems are also provided.

An aerial vehicle includes a body and a wireless charging receiver pad connected to the body, whereby the aerial vehicle is configured to be wirelessly charged when parked above a wireless charging transmitter pad. The aerial vehicle includes landing gear connected to the body and extending underneath the body. The landing gear is configured for actuation to control the location of the receiver pad with respect to the transmitter pad.

A package supporting device including: a base; ground contacting portions that contact a landing surface in a state of having landed; package supporting portions provided at an underside of the base, the package supporting portions supporting a package; a drive portion that is operable in a first state to cause each of the package supporting portions to move toward the package, and is operable in a second state to cause each of the package supporting portions to move away from the package; and a restricting portion that is provided independently from the drive portion, and that allows operation of the drive portion in a state in which the ground contacting portions are contacting a landing surface, and, in a state in which the ground contacting portions do not contact a landing surface, restricts operation of the drive portion in at least the second state.

A package supporting device including: a base; ground contacting portions that contact a landing surface in a state of having landed; package supporting portions provided at an underside of the base, the package supporting portions supporting a package; a drive portion that is operable in a first state to cause each of the package supporting portions to move toward the package, and is operable in a second state to cause each of the package supporting portions to move away from the package; and a restricting portion that is provided independently from the drive portion, and that allows operation of the drive portion in a state in which the ground contacting portions are contacting a landing surface, and, in a state in which the ground contacting portions do not contact a landing surface, restricts operation of the drive portion in at least the second state.

Low noise vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle. A vertical take-off and landing unmanned vehicle which generates low levels of noise includes an ion thruster providing a thrust in a vertical direction, and a thrust vectoring system providing thrust in at least one of a forward, aft, left, and right direction, when the unmanned vehicle is in flight

Low noise vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle. A vertical take-off and landing unmanned vehicle which generates low levels of noise includes an ion thruster providing a thrust in a vertical direction, and a thrust vectoring system providing thrust in at least one of a forward, aft, left, and right direction, when the unmanned vehicle is in flight

An unmanned helicopter platform includes a fuselage, a tail coupled with the fuselage, a payload rail coupled with and extending along the fuselage and a main rotor assembly coupled with the fuselage. The tail includes a tail rotor and a tail rotor motor. The main rotor assembly includes a main rotor having an axis of rotation and a main rotor motor. The payload rail allows mechanical connection of payloads to the fuselage and positioning of the payloads such that a center of gravity of the payloads is alignable with the axis of rotation.

A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body including an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly, one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a battery of the UAV, and an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on one of the plurality of branch members, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.

Provided is a method for controlling flight of a drone and an apparatus supporting the same. More specifically, the drone according to the present invention determines whether or not a specific condition is satisfied to deploy a parachute during the flight, and in a case where the specific condition is satisfied, the drone may stop an operation of one or more propellers to deploy the parachute. Next, the drone deploys the parachute, the parachute is deployed toward an area beside the drone, and the flight of the drone may be controlled by adjusting a rotation speed of each of the one or more propellers.

An unmanned helicopter platform includes a fuselage, a tail coupled with the fuselage, a payload rail coupled with and extending along the fuselage and a main rotor assembly coupled with the fuselage. The tail includes a tail rotor and a tail rotor motor. The main rotor assembly includes a main rotor having an axis of rotation and a main rotor motor. The payload rail allows mechanical connection of payloads to the fuselage and positioning of the payloads such that a center of gravity of the payloads is alignable with the axis of rotation. A system for controlling the unmanned helicopter includes a processor and a memory for providing instructions to the processor. The processor can receive a task, dynamically determine a route for the task and autonomously perform the task including flying along at least part of the route. The route is based on the task, geography and terrain.