Example landing platform systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a top plate configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), where the top plate has a plurality of slots therethrough. A rotating plate is located adjacent the top plate and includes multiple centering pins extending therefrom and extending through the plurality of slots in the top plate. A motor is capable of rotating the rotating plate, which causes the multiple centering pins to center the UAV on the top plate.

A drone box landing system includes features for increasing drone docking capacity and positioning drones on the landing pad area. Some embodiments include a dual platform configuration which rotates one platform out of the way for another platform. In some applications, one drone may land on a first platform, be secured into place by an automatic positioning system, and the platform flipped over to reveal a second platform ready to receive a second drone. The positioning system is configured to make contact with a landed drone and guide the drone to a docking position in the landing pad area.

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 housing can include at least one roof panel movably attached to and resting on roof support beams, and movable from a closed position to an open position along the roof support beams to create an opening at a top of the housing. The at least one roof panel can be hinged to a side wall panel that is at rest against vertical support beams when the roof panel is in a closed position. The at least one roof panel and side wall panel can move together as the top panel moves along the roof support beams to create the opening at the top of the housing. A side opening can also be created at a side of the housing associated with the side wall panel when the side panel moves away from the vertical support beams. A lift in the housing can be moved vertically towards the roof opening.

A housing can include at least one roof panel movably attached to and resting on roof support beams, and movable from a closed position to an open position along the roof support beams to create an opening at a top of the housing. The at least one roof panel can be hinged to a side wall panel that is at rest against vertical support beams when the roof panel is in a closed position. The at least one roof panel and side wall panel can move together as the top panel moves along the roof support beams to create the opening at the top of the housing. A side opening can also be created at a side of the housing associated with the side wall panel when the side panel moves away from the vertical support beams. A lift in the housing can be moved vertically towards the roof opening.

A system for basing drones is described. A network of geographically diverse hangars provides storage and charging locations as well as backhaul communications infrastructure and video monitoring. As drones are needed, a central command point tasks an available drone, which may or may not already be located in proximity to a target. If additional drones are needed, drones can be flown to the area of interest and continuous coverage provided by charging drones while an active drone is conducting the mission, then rotating charged drones into the active mission. Structures for the hangars, the overall system, and methods of operation are described.

A device for the automated charging and discharging of an object on a free-flying autonomously controlled drone includes a landing platform for the drone, a storage device for storing objects, a robot where the robot is configured to remove an object from the storage apparatus in an automated manner and to provide the object on the landing platform to be picked up by the drone and is configured to pick up in an automated manner an object that is provided on the landing platform by the drone and to deposit the object in the storage apparatus, and a controller where the robot is controllable by the controller.

The disclosed inventions include personal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and UAV universal docking ports “docking ports” to be incorporated into and/or attached to headwear, including helmets, hard hats and hats and face masks, as well as footwear including boots and shoes, clothing and outerwear, devices, gear and equipment, land, air, water and space vehicles, buildings, wireless towers and other mobile or stationary objects and surfaces referred to collectively as “docking stations”. A docking station may have one or more docking ports for docking, networking and charging or refueling compact personal UAVs, and for providing data communications between said UAVs and other electronic devices that remain with the person while the UAV is in flight or driving or landed on terrain. Said docking ports may also incorporate wireless power transmission for remote wireless charging of one or more UAV's. Supplemental power for recharging said UAVs when docked may be supplied by integrated battery(s) in said docking port or me be provided directly from the docking station or other connected power source.

Technologies for drone-based cameras to detect proper wind direction for landing are described. One aerial vehicle can determine that it is in a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) orientation and capture an image of a landing-pad device using the camera. The aerial vehicle can detect a visual marker in the image and can determine a wind direction, at a location of the landing page, from the visual marker. The wind direction is used by a propulsion subsystem to align the aerial vehicle into the wind direction for landing.

An apparatus (1) for changing a power source of a drone, the apparatus (1) comprises an adaptor (2) for securing a power source (3) to a drone and comprising a first energy connection for supplying energy from the power source (3) and a second energy connection for supplying energy to a drone, wherein one of the first and second energy connections comprises a pair of energy links (20, 21) which are movable between a first position (FIG. 5) to facilitate energy supply and secure the power source (3) to the drone and a second position (FIG. 4) to interrupt energy supply and enable the power source (3) to be removed from the drone.