An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system for maintaining UAV flight continuity, includes a ground station, a first UAV, a second UAV, a processor, and a memory. The memory contains instructions thereon, which, when executed by the processor in response to receiving a remaining battery charge signal from the first UAV, selectively deploy the second UAV from the ground station when the remaining battery charge signal indicates that a remaining battery charge of the first UAV is below a threshold value, and return the first UAV to the ground station.

A drone box landing system includes features for increasing drone docking capacity and positioning drones on the landing pad area. Some embodiments include a dual platform configuration which rotates one platform out of the way for another platform. In some applications, one drone may land on a first platform, be secured into place by an automatic positioning system, and the platform flipped over to reveal a second platform ready to receive a second drone. The positioning system is configured to make contact with a landed drone and guide the drone to a docking position in the landing pad area.

A method for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes receiving one or more commands selected by a user via a remote controller of the UAV, and in response to a received landing command: identifying the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles for landing, navigating the UAV to travel in a substantially same direction as the vehicle, and controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle. The one or more commands includes at least the landing command to land the UAV on a vehicle while the vehicle is in operation.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system, including: a UAV pod having an interior; and a telescoping UAV landing surface disposed in the interior of the UAV pod; where the telescoping UAV landing surface may translate up toward a top opening of the UAV pod, translate down into an interior of the UAV pod, or rotate relative to the UAV pod.

A base station is disclosed for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes: an enclosure defining a window that is configured to receive the UAV to allow for entry of the UAV into the base station and exit of the UAV from the base station; a door that is movably connected to the enclosure such that the door is repositionable between a closed position and an open position; a sealing member that extends about the window and which is configured for engagement with the door so as to form a seal therewith in the closed position; and a heating system that is supported by the enclosure and which is configured to heat the door and/or the sealing member to support operation (e.g., opening and closure) of the door in a cold environment, wherein the heating system includes at least one light source and at least one heating element.

A housing can include at least one roof panel movably attached to and resting on roof support beams, and movable from a closed position to an open position along the roof support beams to create an opening at a top of the housing. The at least one roof panel can be hinged to a side wall panel that is at rest against vertical support beams when the roof panel is in a closed position. The at least one roof panel and side wall panel can move together as the top panel moves along the roof support beams to create the opening at the top of the housing. A side opening can also be created at a side of the housing associated with the side wall panel when the side panel moves away from the vertical support beams. A lift in the housing can be moved vertically towards the roof opening.

A delivery system includes a processor programmed to construct a route so as to include predefined segments traveled by carriers configured to taxi the vehicle and charge a battery thereof such that a state of charge of the battery remains above a target for a duration of the route, and forward the route to the vehicle.

A UAV location management method for use with a flight management system is provided, where the method comprises providing a location for at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for at least one of: landing, taking-off and loading, providing at least a first weight-sensitive UAV pad at the UAV location, assigning a gross weight limit to each UAV scheduled to take-off from the first weight-sensitive UAV pad, the gross weight limit being based on a safety factor and at least one of: (i) a characteristic of the UAV; (ii) a characteristic of a power source of the UAV; (iii) a scheduled flight path for the UAV; and (iv) a weather condition, monitoring a weight exerted on the first weight-sensitive UAV pad when the UAV is positioned on the UAV pad, and transmitting a halt-flight signal to the flight management system for the UAV where the weight exceeds the gross weight limit.

A ground station for aerial vehicles including a protective casing, at least one charging mechanism, and an extendable landing pad. The extended landing pad is operable to transition between a closed configuration having dimensions suitable to be contained within said protective casing, and an open configuration having dimensions suitable to land the aerial vehicle.

The disclosed inventions include personal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and UAV universal docking ports “docking ports” to be incorporated into and/or attached to headwear, including helmets, hard hats and hats and face masks, as well as footwear including boots and shoes, clothing and outerwear, devices, gear and equipment, land, air, water and space vehicles, buildings, wireless towers and other mobile or stationary objects and surfaces referred to collectively as “docking stations”. A docking station may have one or more docking ports for docking, networking and charging or refueling compact personal UAVs, and for providing data communications between said UAVs and other electronic devices that remain with the person while the UAV is in flight or driving or landed on terrain. Said docking ports may also incorporate wireless power transmission for remote wireless charging of one or more UAV's. Supplemental power for recharging said UAVs when docked may be supplied by integrated battery(s) in said docking port or me be provided directly from the docking station or other connected power source.