An external power assist system for an eVTOL aircraft having one or more onboard batteries includes a subsurface power source and a power transfer interface electrically coupled to the subsurface power source. The power transfer interface is movable between various positions including a deployed position and a stowed position. The power transfer interface is configured to transfer power to the onboard batteries of the eVTOL aircraft in the deployed position. The power transfer interface is moved at least partially subsurface in the stowed position.

Method and system to ascertain location of drone box for landing and charging drones comprising at least a drone box having a drone platform with a plurality of limiting boundaries, divided into number of sensor zones that are mechanically contiguous and electrically separated by an insulated separator of insulation width, each sensor zone having an identification coordinates, each drone having a plurality of ground interfaces, each having a unique address code, each ground interface has a charging terminal at a far end, each charging terminal having an interlocked switchable electricity polarity. The identification coordinates of the activated sensor zones are communicable to a second drone so that the second drone knows where NOT to land on the drone box, Such communication enables a third and subsequent drone to ascertain whether the identified drone box is suitable and available for landing.

A drone may receive power from mobile base station equipment via an air-to-ground power feed during flight, which allows the drone to remain in flight for longer periods of time than relying on battery power alone. The air-to-ground power feed may be included in a tether that includes multiple air-to-ground power feeds or communication feeds. In some cases, the drone is powered by an on-board power system during takeoff and landing sequences to avoid damage to the tether or the drone and/or signal interference within the tether. In some cases, the drone may follow flight patterns during takeoff and landing sequences to avoid damage to the tether or the drone and/or signal interference within the tether.

An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV and a survey point. The geo-fiducials are each specified for a unique directional and offset position in or about the landing pad region relative to the survey point. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys an alphanumerical code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.

A system for mitigating charging failure for an electric aircraft including a charging connector, a sensor, a charger, and a controller. The charging connector comprising at least a charging pin and configured to mate with a corresponding charging port on an electric aircraft. The sensor communicatively connected to the charging connector and configured to detect a charging datum. The charger electrically connected to the charging connector and comprising a power source electrically connected to the charging connector. The controller communicatively connected to the sensor and configured to receive a charging datum from the sensor, detect a charging failure as a function of the charging datum, and initiate a mitigating response in response to detecting a charging failure.

An apparatus for visual navigation of a UAV includes a geo-fiducial mat and a plurality of geo-fiducials. The geo-fiducial mat includes a landing pad region that provides a location for aligning with a landing pad of a UAV. The geo-fiducials each includes a two-dimensional (2D) pattern that visually conveys a code. The 2D pattern has a shape from which a visual navigation system of the UAV can visually triangulate a position of the UAV.

A system for an aircraft, comprises an electric energy module; and a connector module operatively connected to the electric energy module. The connector module is: structured to attach the electric energy module to the aircraft when the connector module in an engaged mode while in use, and operable between the engaged mode and a disengaged mode, the connector module in the disengaged mode while in use disengaging the electric energy module from the aircraft.

Aspects relate to a charging station configured to transfer power between an electric aircraft and a power grid via a charging connection. In one or more embodiments, charging station may communicate with the power grid and/or electric aircraft via a communication network. For example, the charging station may be configured to receive a supply request from a power grid or a demand request from an electric aircraft and subsequently generate a control signal that transfers electrical power between the power grid and the electric aircraft via the charging connection.

Flying machines may be docked during charging or other processes. A tray having multiple docking areas is configured to accommodate flying machines for transport and docking. The docking areas may, but need not, include passageways which may accommodate charging stations. For example, a storage enclosure may be configured to house one or more trays, configured to interface to corresponding charging surfaces. Protective layers and vibration dampening features may be used to soften impacts during storage and transport. A charging station may include electrical terminals, recesses, and locating features for docking a flying machine.

A control system and apparatus for managing charging of electric vehicles in a transportation infrastructure and controlling at least the flight paths for drone-assisted vehicles requiring periodic charge comprises a transportation system control node connected in a first wide area network (WAN), a plurality of vehicle charging facilities distributed within the geographic region covered by the first wide area network and a charge controller connected to each of the plurality of charging facilities for brokering electric power from a power source to at least one structurally supported charge transfer apparatus maintained at each of the charging facilities.