A system for the automated landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle includes an unmanned aerial vehicle having a control module, a first remote control device located at a remote location and controllable by a pilot, the first remote control device being configured to communicate with the unmanned aerial vehicle, and a second remote control system device located at a landing area and controllable by an observer, the second remote control device being configured to communicate with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The first remote control device and the second remote control device are configured for continuous communication with the unmanned aerial vehicle for landing of the unmanned aerial vehicle at a landmark at the landing area.

A rotorcraft and an automatic landing system and method thereof are provided in the present disclosure. The automatic landing system of the rotorcraft includes a controller, a laser emitter, a camera, an electronic governor and a motor configured to drive a propeller of the rotorcraft to rotate. The laser emitter and the camera are both locate in a bottom portion of an airframe of the rotorcraft. The laser emitter has two emission heads, laser beams emitted from the two emission heads respectively are symmetrical about a central axis, the central axis is perpendicular to a horizontal plane of a ground, and an angle between each laser beam and the central axis is an acute angle. Simply with an operation of the laser emitter, the camera and the controller, the flight speed and displacement of the rotorcraft can be controlled to realize automatic landing in the present disclosure.

An electronic marker may provide an approach notification to enable people to understand and interpret actions by a UAV, such as an intention to land or deposit a package at a particular location. The marker may communicate a specific intention of the UAV and/or communicate a request to a person. The marker may monitor the person or data signals for a response from the person, such as movement of the person that indicates a response. The marker may be equipped with hardware and/or software configured to provide notifications and/or exchange information with a person or the UAV at or near a destination. The marker may include a display, lights, a speaker, and one or more sensors to enable the UAV to provide information, barcodes, and text. The marker can provide final landing authority and can wave-off the UAV if an obstacle or person exists in the landing zone.

A foldable drone landing pad includes a first landing platform, a second landing platform, at least one hinge mechanism, a chipset, a rechargeable battery, and a plurality of drone tracking features. The first landing platform and the second landing platform each includes a frame and a plurality of panels that fully enclose the frame. The first landing platform and the second landing platform are foldably mounted to each other by the hinge mechanism. The chipset and the rechargeable battery are internally mounted to the first landing platform. The plurality of drone tracking features is integrated to the first landing platform and the second landing platform and include a GPS, a lighting system, proximity sensors, an infrared beacon, and wireless communication modules. The chipset and the plurality of drone tracking features are electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The plurality of drone tracking features is electronically connected to the chipset.

A foldable drone landing pad includes a first landing platform, a second landing platform, at least one hinge mechanism, a chipset, a rechargeable battery, and a plurality of drone tracking features. The first landing platform and the second landing platform each includes a frame and a plurality of panels that fully enclose the frame. The first landing platform and the second landing platform are foldably mounted to each other by the hinge mechanism. The chipset and the rechargeable battery are internally mounted to the first landing platform. The plurality of drone tracking features is integrated to the first landing platform and the second landing platform and include a GPS, a lighting system, proximity sensors, an infrared beacon, and wireless communication modules. The chipset and the plurality of drone tracking features are electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The plurality of drone tracking features is electronically connected to the chipset.

The present invention realizes a medical material transport system that is low-cost, stable, and safe, the medical material transport system being such that even if a failure occurs in an individual specimen transport device, the failure does not extend to the system as a whole. Collection of a specimen is requested from a specimen collection request terminal 107, and a management unit (108) issues a reception command 110 for the specimen. A drone 101 that has received the reception command 110 for the specimen departs from a standby dock 105 on the basis of the received information and flies to a specimen recovery location 106, and a specimen tray for placing the specimen is taken out from a specimen holder 102. A specimen container is contained in the specimen tray, and the specimen tray is returned to the specimen holder 102 and locked using a lock mechanism. The drone 101 flies to an arrival station 104, and after arriving, uses an unlocking key, and the specimen tray is disengaged from the specimen holder 102. After the specimen container in the specimen tray is collected, the specimen tray is placed in the specimen holder 102, and the drone 101 returns to the standby dock 105.

Systems and methods for receiving packages from drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are described. The systems can include a delivery package mounting unit, such as a unit configured to mount to the outside of a house or building, configured and adapted to facilitate the landing of a drone to the unit and receive to multiple packages from the drone and/or one or more other drones. In some embodiments, the mounting unit includes a landing tray configured to facilitate the landing of a drone to the unit, and a moveable package tray configured to receive packages and other cargo from the drone.

Systems and methods for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked communication system. A tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation to provide power and/or voice and data communication.

Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An example apparatus may include, among other features, (i) a launch system for a UAV, (ii) a landing feature that is arranged on the apparatus so as to receive the UAV when the UAV returns from a flight, and (iii) a mechanical battery-replacement system that is configured to (a) remove a first battery from the UAV, and (b) after removal of the first battery, install a second battery in the UAV.

A ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docking station is provided. The docking station comprises: a guide sized to receive a ducted fan UAV; and a housing communicatively coupled to the guide. The housing comprises: a storage assembly comprising: at least one compartment sized to store the UAV; and at least one dampening system coupled to the at least one storage compartment for cushioning the UAV.