In some embodiments, a transportation method includes coupling a flying frame to a passenger pod assembly; lifting the passenger pod assembly into the air in a vertical takeoff and landing mode with the passenger pod assembly in a generally horizontal attitude; transitioning from the vertical takeoff and landing mode to a forward flight mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; transporting the passenger pod assembly toward a second location in the forward flight mode; transitioning the flying frame from the forward flight mode to the vertical takeoff and landing mode by rotating the flying frame relative to the passenger pod assembly, which remains in the generally horizontal attitude; landing the flying frame at the second location in the vertical takeoff and landing mode; and releasing the passenger pod assembly.

A motorized vehicle (V) for transportation of people or goods generally comprising frame means (T) for supporting a housing cabin (C) for the said people or goods and suitable to be elevated by means of lifting means (S, M) of the said cabin (C) for moving the said cabin (C) between a loading/unloading position (PT) of said people at ground level and a loading/unloading position (PEA) of said people at an elevated level; the said lifting means (S, M) comprise column means (M) defined by cylindrical movement means (7) inserted into each other and suitable to slide through dynamic actuating means (8, 9) arranged coupled to the said movement means (7); said column means (M) supporting wheel means (12) for moving the said vehicle and suspension means (13) connected to the said wheel means (12).

A motorized vehicle (V) for transportation of people or goods generally comprising frame means (T) for supporting a housing cabin (C) for the said people or goods and suitable to be elevated by means of lifting means (S, M) of the said cabin (C) for moving the said cabin (C) between a loading/unloading position (PT) of said people at ground level and a loading/unloading position (PEA) of said people at an elevated level; the said lifting means (S, M) comprise column means (M) defined by cylindrical movement means (7) inserted into each other and suitable to slide through dynamic actuating means (8, 9) arranged coupled to the said movement means (7); said column means (M) supporting wheel means (12) for moving the said vehicle and suspension means (13) connected to the said wheel means (12).

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for automatically aligning and connecting a passenger boarding bridge (PBB) with the passenger door of an aircraft or other vessel. A sensory suite module includes cameras and sensors to scan the apron for obstacles and identify an aircraft based on external features. The sensory suite module also includes one or more high-precision active laser line profilers to detect the vertical and lower edges of an aircraft door. A controller module provides precise control and movement of the distal end of the PBB and guides the distal end of the PBB to the passenger door. The system can be activated by a remote triggering panel module.

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for automatically aligning and connecting a passenger boarding bridge (PBB) with the passenger door of an aircraft or other vessel. A sensory suite module includes cameras and sensors to scan the apron for obstacles and identify an aircraft based on external features. The sensory suite module also includes one or more high-precision active laser line profilers to detect the vertical and lower edges of an aircraft door. A controller module provides precise control and movement of the distal end of the PBB and guides the distal end of the PBB to the passenger door. The system can be activated by a remote triggering panel module.

An exchange station has openings for drones, a passenger check-in/check-out bay for processing passengers, a drone connect/release bay, having apparatus adapted to manage passenger pods mounted on smart chassis, and a computerized control system in wireless communication with control circuitry in the drones and smart chassis, guiding smart chassis with mounted passenger pods and drones, to make the exchange of pods from the smart chassis to drones. A passenger entering the passenger check-in bay is loaded into a pod mounted on a smart chassis, the pod with passenger is transported to the drone-connect/release bay, and the pod is there joined to a bare drone and disconnected from the smart chassis, the drone leaving with the passenger pod to a destination, and the smart chassis traveling away from the drone connect-release bay.

An exchange station has openings for drones, a passenger check-in/check-out bay for processing passengers, a drone connect/release bay, having apparatus adapted to manage passenger pods mounted on smart chassis, and a computerized control system in wireless communication with control circuitry in the drones and smart chassis, guiding smart chassis with mounted passenger pods and drones, to make the exchange of pods from the smart chassis to drones. A passenger entering the passenger check-in bay is loaded into a pod mounted on a smart chassis, the pod with passenger is transported to the drone-connect/release bay, and the pod is there joined to a bare drone and disconnected from the smart chassis, the drone leaving with the passenger pod to a destination, and the smart chassis traveling away from the drone connect-release bay.

An aerial vehicle has a passenger cabin for receiving at least one passenger, a load-bearing structure beneath the cabin, and a propulsion system including a number of propulsion units, which propel the aerial vehicle for powered flight and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The propulsion units are preferably carried by support arms attached to the load-bearing structure and extending upwards therefrom so as to support the propulsion units at a level above the cabin. The aerial vehicle is preferably reconfigurable to a compact configuration after landing, with at least some of the propulsion units overlapping the cabin and/or each other, while still allowing passenger transfer in and out of the vehicle, thereby facilitating efficient use of space for implementing a vertiport.

An aerial vehicle has a passenger cabin for receiving at least one passenger, a load-bearing structure beneath the cabin, and a propulsion system including a number of propulsion units, which propel the aerial vehicle for powered flight and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The propulsion units are preferably carried by support arms attached to the load-bearing structure and extending upwards therefrom so as to support the propulsion units at a level above the cabin. The aerial vehicle is preferably reconfigurable to a compact configuration after landing, with at least some of the propulsion units overlapping the cabin and/or each other, while still allowing passenger transfer in and out of the vehicle, thereby facilitating efficient use of space for implementing a vertiport.

An airplane passenger transport system that includes an airplane and a first passenger module. The first passenger module is removably positionable in the airplane. The first passenger module is adapted to transport at least one person in an at least partially enclosed configuration. The first passenger module includes at least one of a seat and a bed for the at least one person can sit while being transported in the airplane.