A positioning mechanism comprises a base comprising a landing area and a guide member. The landing area comprises a positioning portion. The guide member is movably arranged at the landing area and comprises a guide surface. The guide member is configured to be movable with respect to the base. A height of the guide member relative to the landing area is configured to be lower when the guide member is in a non-operating state than when the guide member is in an operating state. The guide surface is configured to adjoin the positioning portion when the guide member is in the operating state.

An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for autonomously performing and/or facilitating drone diagnostic functions. Prior to a mission of a UAV, an inspection station comprising at least one imaging sensor and at least one directional force sensor may be used to perform a plurality of air worthiness inspections and/or maintenance checks with little to no human intervention. Once the UAV has been determined to be air worthy, it is approved for a subsequent mission.

A system including a drone, a wire and a docking station allowing the autonomous landing of the drone in degraded conditions. The docking station including a landing platform. The landing procedure includes stopping the automatic position control of the drone, producing a motor thrust higher than the weight of the drone, the automatic control of the attitude of the drone, and pulling upon the wire in order to bring the drone back to the platform. This system makes emergency landings possible, or landings under violent winds, or when the docking station is in movement on a vehicle, reducing material breakage.

A system including a drone, a wire and a docking station allowing the autonomous landing of the drone in degraded conditions. The docking station including a landing platform. The landing procedure includes stopping the automatic position control of the drone, producing a motor thrust higher than the weight of the drone, the automatic control of the attitude of the drone, and pulling upon the wire in order to bring the drone back to the platform. This system makes emergency landings possible, or landings under violent winds, or when the docking station is in movement on a vehicle, reducing material breakage.

Example landing platform systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a landing platform includes a top plate configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), where the top plate has a plurality of slots therethrough. A rotating plate is located adjacent the top plate and includes multiple centering pins extending therefrom and extending through the plurality of slots in the top plate. A motor is capable of rotating the rotating plate, which causes the multiple centering pins to center the UAV on the top plate.

Systems and methods related to landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a UAV on a surface of a landing platform. The method may further include operating a positioning device disposed under the surface to locate the UAV. The method may further include operating the positioning device to move the UAV to a location and/or an orientation on the surface. The UAV may comprise landing gear having a plurality of legs, where each leg comprises a shock absorption system. The method may further include operating the shock absorption system during the receiving operation to reduce force received at stress areas of the UAV, and after the receiving operation, operating the shock absorption system to dampen movement by the UAV. Related devices and systems are also provided.

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.

This application discloses a beacon for guiding landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The beacon includes at least three levels of patterns: one first-level pattern and at least one second-level pattern, where the at least one second-level pattern is superposed above the first-level pattern, and an area of the second-level pattern is less than that of the first-level pattern.

This application discloses a beacon for guiding landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The beacon includes at least three levels of patterns: one first-level pattern and at least one second-level pattern, where the at least one second-level pattern is superposed above the first-level pattern, and an area of the second-level pattern is less than that of the first-level pattern.