An inter-floor transport system includes an aerial vehicle configured to move vertically and horizontally along a passage and a power assembly including a power supply adjacent to the passage and a guide cable extending along the passage and connected to the power supply, where the aerial vehicle is configured to receive power through the guide cable without contacting the guide cable.

A drone docking station for an aerial drone is provided. The drone docking station includes a platform and a drone positioning device. The platform includes a drone landing area. The drone positioning device is disposed on the platform. The drone positioning device includes a sidewall disposed around the drone landing area and a flange extending from the sidewall. The flange includes a first end coupled to the sidewall and a second end distal thereto. The flange extends from the sidewall at a first angle. Methods for securing the drone docking station to a warehouse rack are also provided.

An aerial vehicle configured for operating within an indoor space is carried through the indoor space by a user, and data regarding positions and orientations of the aerial vehicle at each of a plurality of points is used to generate a route for the aerial vehicle. The route is simplified according to an iterative fit algorithm, and levels of collision risk are calculated for each of the points of the simplified route based on distances between segments of the simplified route leading into or from such points and obstacles or other objects. Points having unacceptable levels of collision risk are relocated, as necessary.