An information processing apparatus of the disclosure of the present application includes a controller that is configured to acquire landing information about landing of a flying object on a landing platform that is provided on a housing facility for housing the flying object, the landing platform being where the flying object lands when the flying object is to be housed in the housing facility, the landing platform being movable between a stored state of being stored in an inner space separated by an outer wall of the housing facility and a protruding state of protruding from the outer wall of the housing facility, and issue a command for controlling the landing platform to be in the stored state, based on the landing information.

A system for landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a destination includes a landing coordination control unit that is configured to switch the UAV from a normal operating mode to a landing mode in response to the UAV entering a regulated airspace in relation to the destination. The normal operating mode includes normal instructions for flying and navigating to the destination. The landing mode includes landing instructions for a landing sequence into a landing zone at the destination.

A landing pad receives and stores packages delivered from an aerial vehicle are 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 payload loading system is disclosed. The payload loading system includes a UAV and a loading structure. A retractable tether is coupled to a payload coupling apparatus at a distal end and the UAV at a proximate end. A payload is loaded to the UAV by coupling the payload to the payload coupling apparatus. The loading structure of the payload loading system includes a landing platform and a tether guide. The tether guide is coupled to the landing platform and directs the tether as the UAV approaches and travels across at least a portion of the landing platform such that the payload coupling apparatus arrives at a target location. The payload is loaded to the payload coupling apparatus while the payload coupling apparatus is within the target location.

A pipeline in a controller may be configured to interface between sensors and actuators. The pipeline may elements such as drivers, filters, a combine, estimators, controllers, a mixer, and actuator controllers. The drivers may receive sensor data and pre-process the received sensor data. The filters may filter the pre-processed sensor data to generate filtered sensor data. The combine may package the filtered sensor data to generate packaged sensor data. The estimators may determine estimates of a position of a vehicle based on the packaged sensor data. The controllers may generate control signals based on the determined estimates. The mixer may modify the generated control signals based on limitations of the vehicle. The actuator controllers may generate actuator control signals based on the modified control signals to drive the actuators.

Systems and methods of calculating a ballistic solution for a projectile are provided. A ballistic system may include an airborne device, a ballistic computer, a data interface, and a flight module, or any combination thereof. The airborne device (e.g., a drone) may be operable to gather wind data along or adjacent to a flight path of a projectile to a target. The ballistic computer may be in data communication with the airborne device to receive the wind data. The ballistic computer may be configured to calculate a ballistic solution for the projectile based on the wind data. The data interface may be in data communication with the ballistic computer to output the ballistic solution to a user. The flight module may be configured to calibrate a flight path of the airborne device.

A take-off and landing apparatus for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft is disclosed, including a take-off and landing pole, a mooring transfer base and a sleeve docking device. The top of the take-off and landing pole is provided with a contact head which is elastic. The mooring transfer base is disposed on the take-off and landing pole, the mooring transfer base is movable along the take-off and landing pole, the mooring transfer base is configured to receive the vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The sleeve docking device is disposed on the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and the sleeve docking device is provided with a docking hole adapted to the take-off and landing pole.

A take-off and landing apparatus for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft is disclosed, including a take-off and landing pole, a mooring transfer base and a sleeve docking device. The top of the take-off and landing pole is provided with a contact head which is elastic. The mooring transfer base is disposed on the take-off and landing pole, the mooring transfer base is movable along the take-off and landing pole, the mooring transfer base is configured to receive the vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The sleeve docking device is disposed on the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and the sleeve docking device is provided with a docking hole adapted to the take-off and landing pole.

A portable case for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a system including a portable case for UAV and an adapter for coupling the portable case to a vehicle are disclosed. An example system may include an exterior attachment disposed on an exterior of a vehicle, an adapter configured to couple a portable case for an UAV to the exterior attachment, and a moveable cover connected to the vehicle and configured to cover the portable case when the portable case is coupled to the vehicle. An example portable case may comprise a landing pad for the UAV, a bottom portion having the landing pad and configured to connect to the exterior attachment via the adapter, and a removable upper portion configured to be connected to the bottom portion when the bottom portion is disconnected from the at least one exterior attachment.

This disclosure describes a ground station configured to facilitate the delivery of payloads using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The ground station includes multiple sensors that allow for autonomous operation of the ground station as part of a larger payload transportation system. The sensors are configured to confirm loading of payloads onto a UAV, checking a status and safety of the drone and clearing an area surrounding the ground station prior to takeoff and/or landing operations of the UAV.