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.

Package delivery to homes or after-hours business delivery exposes a package to theft, weather damage, and extreme temperatures. To receive and protect delivered packages, a package receiving station is configured to receive package from delivery vehicles. The station includes walls that extend upward to create an interior space of the station and a roof or other movable portion that is moveable between a first position covering the interior space and a second position allowing access to the interior space. A motor causes movement of the moveable roof or movable portion and an access portal in the wall allows access into the interior space to retrieve the package. A receiver receives a signal from or detects the arrival of the delivery vehicle and generates a control signal. A controller, responsive to the control signal, sends an activation signal to the motor to move the moveable roof or movable portion.

Systems for landing and handling of a drone may include a platform on which the drone is supportable in a landed state; a space to receive the platform and drone in the landed state, a first closable barrier arranged between the drone in the landed state and an external environment; a second closable barrier arranged between the drone in the landed state and a passenger zone; and a control arrangement configured to operate the platform, the first closable barrier and the second closable barrier between: a first condition, in which the first closable barrier is in an open condition, the second closable barrier is in a closed condition and the drone is landable on the platform, and a second condition, in which the platform and drone in the landed state are receivable by the space, the first closable barrier is movable to a closed condition, and the second closable barrier is moveable to an open condition.

A drone-assisted ballistic system is provided. The ballistic system may include a plurality of mobile devices, a ballistic computer, and a data interface. Each mobile device may be operable to gather wind data along or adjacent to a flight path of a projectile to a target, each mobile device measuring at least wind speed and wind direction. The ballistic system may include at least one static device operable to gather wind data at or near a launch or firing position. The ballistic computer may be in data communication with the plurality of mobile devices to receive the wind data. The ballistic computer may be configured to calculate a wind compensation value for the projectile based on the wind data. The data interface may be in data communication with the ballistic computer to output the wind compensation value to a user in real-time.

An element for a window, door, pitched roof, or faade for installation in a building opening of a wall, a faade, or a pitched roof, includes a device for sending or receiving letters and parcels. The device is designed such that the letters and parcels can be picked up or delivered by an unmanned air vehicle. The element for a window, door, pitched roof, or faade includes an outer leaf and an inner leaf, which are separated from one another by an intermediate space.

The present disclosure is related to unmanned aerial vehicles or drones that have a capability of quickly swapping batteries. This may be accomplished even as the drone continues to fly. A drone consistent with the present disclosure may drop one battery and pickup another using an attachment mechanism. Attachment mechanisms of the present disclosure may include electro-magnets, mechanical actuators, pins, or hooks. Systems consistent with the present disclosure may also include locations where replacement batteries may be provided to aircraft via actuation devices coupled to a physical location.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a stand for launching, landing, testing, refueling and recharging a UAV, and methods for testing, landing and launching the UAV are disclosed. Further, embodiments may include transferring a payload onto or off of the UAV, and loading flight planning and diagnostic maintenance information to the UAV.

A charging station is provided herein for being adapted to bear an unmanned vehicle. The charging station includes a platform and a charging mechanism. The charging mechanism is disposed on the platform, and the charging mechanism may be electrically connected to the unmanned vehicle for charging by a movement over the platform. In addition, a charging station module including a plurality of the aforesaid charging stations is also provided.

An autonomous drone is programed with the geo-location of one or more remote sensors, and the autonomous drone then flies to each of the remote sensors to acquire a most recent sensing data record, and then return to a base where the most recent data record for each remote sensor can be transferred to a computing system. Upon arriving at the location of each remote sensor, the drone causes the remote sensor to activate a local area radio transceiver so that a communication link can be established between the drone and the remote sensor.

A heat dissipation structure includes a housing configured to accommodate a heating element of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The housing includes a first air vent and a second air vent. The first air vent is configured to guide an airflow into the housing. The airflow includes a propeller-generated airflow generated by a propeller of the UAV during rotation. A side projection of the first air vent on a side of the housing at least partially overlaps a side projection of the propeller on the side of the housing. The second air vent is configured to guide the airflow out of the housing.