A transport vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a head (1), a control assembly arranged in the head (1) used for controlling the movement state of the transport vehicle. The carrying plate (2) is connected to the head (1) to form an open carriage space so as to accommodate container (3). The container (3) is provided on the carrying plate (2) and at least comprises a base plate (31) and an opening (32). The base plate (31) is provided with an overturning assembly (4), the overturning assembly (4) is rotatably connected to the base plate (31) and is used for driving the piece to be transported to rotate from a first predetermined position around the side direction of the base plate (31) until the piece to be transported is arranged at a second predetermined position through the opening (32).

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.

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.

An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a flight system, a wireless communication system, a processor, and a power system having a battery and a battery charging port. The power system may be operable to power the flight system, the wireless communication system, and the processor. The processor may be configured to operate the flight system to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle from a ground position to an in-air position while the battery charging port is attached to an air-to-ground tether, trigger a release of the air-to-ground tether from the battery charging port after determining the unmanned aerial vehicle has reached the in-air position and the battery is charged, and operate the flight system to execute a flight pattern while operating the wireless communication system to search for a wireless communication device.

An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a flight system, a wireless communication system, a processor, and a power system having a battery and a battery charging port. The power system may be operable to power the flight system, the wireless communication system, and the processor. The processor may be configured to operate the flight system to fly the unmanned aerial vehicle from a ground position to an in-air position while the battery charging port is attached to an air-to-ground tether, trigger a release of the air-to-ground tether from the battery charging port after determining the unmanned aerial vehicle has reached the in-air position and the battery is charged, and operate the flight system to execute a flight pattern while operating the wireless communication system to search for a wireless communication device.

Disclosed are unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positioning mechanisms for moving a UAV across a surface. The positioning mechanisms comprise a first guide assembly arranged opposite to a second guide assembly. A drive system is arranged to move the first guide assembly towards the second guide assembly and guide the UAV from a first position to a second position.

Disclosed are unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positioning mechanisms for moving a UAV across a surface. The positioning mechanisms comprise a first guide assembly arranged opposite to a second guide assembly. A drive system is arranged to move the first guide assembly towards the second guide assembly and guide the UAV from a first position to a second position.

An autonomous vehicle includes a chassis for housing an aircraft ground contacting structure (GCS) and one or more GCS coupling and lifting mechanisms, GCS securing mechanisms, drivetrain, batteries and a sensor stack for performing autonomous navigation. Further, the vehicle incorporates multiple sensors, such as high-resolution machine vision cameras, GPS modules, Lidars, ultrasonic range sensors, and radars. The sensors deliver spatial perception capabilities to the vehicle and feed relevant data to onboard computing units to achieve location-based navigation, precision alignment with aircraft, obstacle detection and collision avoidance capabilities. A series of batteries deliver power to all components, including but not limited to, motors, electromechanical units, onboard computers, sensors and any other component requiring electrical input. External ports allow the vehicle to recharge batteries after each utilization cycle without replacement. The vehicle is capable of recognizing its power state and can autonomously navigate to a base station and dock itself for charging.

An autonomous vehicle includes a chassis for housing an aircraft ground contacting structure (GCS) and one or more GCS coupling and lifting mechanisms, GCS securing mechanisms, drivetrain, batteries and a sensor stack for performing autonomous navigation. Further, the vehicle incorporates multiple sensors, such as high-resolution machine vision cameras, GPS modules, Lidars, ultrasonic range sensors, and radars. The sensors deliver spatial perception capabilities to the vehicle and feed relevant data to onboard computing units to achieve location-based navigation, precision alignment with aircraft, obstacle detection and collision avoidance capabilities. A series of batteries deliver power to all components, including but not limited to, motors, electromechanical units, onboard computers, sensors and any other component requiring electrical input. External ports allow the vehicle to recharge batteries after each utilization cycle without replacement. The vehicle is capable of recognizing its power state and can autonomously navigate to a base station and dock itself for charging.

An apparatus for permitting a flying vehicle to land on or take off therefrom whilst the apparatus is airborne, the apparatus including: a surface for supporting the flying vehicle during landing or when taking off; at least one propulsion device for sustaining flight of the apparatus and for positioning the surface in a desired landing or taking off orientation; and a link which is connectable at one end to a land- or sea-going vehicle, for tethering the apparatus relative thereto.