Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

An electronic device is provided, including a device shell and a flight photographing device. The device shell is provided with an opening and an inner cavity. The opening communicates with the inner cavity. The flight photographing device is movably arranged on the device shell. The flight photographing device is capable of extending out of the device shell through the opening or retracting into the device shell. In a case that the flight photographing device is located outside the device shell, the flight photographing device is separable from the device shell.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

A base station is disclosed for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The base station includes: an enclosure; a cradle that is configured to charge a power source of the UAV during docking with the base station; and a temperature control system that is connected to the cradle and which is configured to vary temperature of the power source of the UAV. The temperature control system includes: a thermoelectric conditioner (TEC); a first air circuit that is thermally connected to the TEC and which is configured to regulate temperature of the TEC; and a second air circuit that is thermally connected to the TEC such that the TEC is located between the first air circuit and the second air circuit. The second air circuit is configured to direct air across the cradle to thereby heat or cool the power source of the UAV when docked with the base station.

A base station is disclosed for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The base station includes: an enclosure; a cradle that is configured to charge a power source of the UAV during docking with the base station; and a temperature control system that is connected to the cradle and which is configured to vary temperature of the power source of the UAV. The temperature control system includes: a thermoelectric conditioner (TEC); a first air circuit that is thermally connected to the TEC and which is configured to regulate temperature of the TEC; and a second air circuit that is thermally connected to the TEC such that the TEC is located between the first air circuit and the second air circuit. The second air circuit is configured to direct air across the cradle to thereby heat or cool the power source of the UAV when docked with the base station.

A deployment system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) includes a container, at least one storage rack disposed within the container, and a launcher. The at least one storage rack is configured to store a plurality of UAVs and to selectively dispense the UAVs. The launcher includes at least one engagement member configured to engage any UAV of the plurality of UAVs, and a conveyor operable to accelerate the engaged UAV from an engagement position to a release speed. The deployment system also includes a UAV handler configured to receive each UAV of the plurality of UAVs from the at least one storage rack and transfer the UAV to the launcher.

A deployment system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) includes a container, at least one storage rack disposed within the container, and a launcher. The at least one storage rack is configured to store a plurality of UAVs and to selectively dispense the UAVs. The launcher includes at least one engagement member configured to engage any UAV of the plurality of UAVs, and a conveyor operable to accelerate the engaged UAV from an engagement position to a release speed. The deployment system also includes a UAV handler configured to receive each UAV of the plurality of UAVs from the at least one storage rack and transfer the UAV to the launcher.

A base station may include a frame configured to provide mechanical support to the base station. The base station may include a parking plate carried by the frame, the parking plate comprising a landing surface configured to be in contact with the drone when the drone is landed and a component-carrying surface opposing the landing surface. The base station may include a plurality of chargers carried on the component-carrying surface of the parking plate. The base station may include a battery pack carrier carried on the component-carrying surface of the parking plate, the battery pack carrier movable to carry a battery pack connected to one of the chargers to the drone. The base station may include a shutter on the parking plate, the shutter openable to provide access of the battery pack carrier from the component-carrying surface to the landing surface.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assembly includes an UAV and an UAV docking station. The UAV docking station includes a housing, an extension piece, and a door. The housing is provided with an accommodation cavity and a hatch communicating with the accommodation cavity. The extension piece comprises an extension cavity and is connected to the housing. The extension piece is disposed on a side portion of a housing end which is near the hatch, and the extension cavity communicates with the accommodation cavity. The door is connected to the housing and disposed at the hatch, and the door is configured to open or close the hatch. A cross-sectional area where the extension cavity communicates with the accommodation cavity is greater than a cross-sectional area of the accommodation cavity. The UAV can be accommodated in the accommodation cavity of the UAV docking station.