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.

A virtual security network system can be used to prevent, deter or cease intrusion of an unauthorized person, animal or object into a secured area. The virtual security network system can include sensor units, a drone and a wide area network. Sensor units can be placed throughout a secured area and include a multitude of sensors with different capabilities that can detect a breach of the secured area. The drone can be mobilized upon receipt of a signal from a sensor unit when the secured area is breached to track an intruder. The drone can be equipped with pulsing lasers or a strobe light. The virtual security network system can also include a satellite, unmanned aerial vehicle, a launching and charging station for drone release and/or a drone fleet.

Zone-based unmanned aerial vehicle landing systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes establishing a plurality of operational zones, each of the plurality of operational zones being associated with a range of altitudes, guiding an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through each of a plurality of operational zones to land the UAV on a target location using sensors, wherein the sensors are configured to sense a distance between the UAV to the target location, further wherein portions of the sensors are configured for use at different altitudes, and determining an error for the UAV during landing, wherein the UAV retreats to a higher altitude operational zone when the error is determined.

Systems, and methods of shifting objects using a vehicle and at least one drone are provided. The vehicle and drone are configured to communicate using communication components to coordinate movement of the at least one drone relative to the wheeled object. The system for shifting objects may include sensors for detecting characteristics of the environment. The system may include shifting the object to a second location based on the characteristics detected.

A hybrid aircraft system uses a combination of direct propeller driven gas engine and electric motor power to provide vertical thrust and control for hover of the aircraft. Furthermore, a portable launch/recovery system is configured for use with an aircraft such as a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system is configured to enable ships with limited available deck space to become UAV-compatible.

Systems and methods for a vehicle-compatible drone. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes providing a drone having a plurality of blades and an expansion device. The expansion device is adapted to reconfigure the position of at least one blade of the plurality of blades from a first configuration of the drone to a second configuration of the drone. The computer-implemented method also includes identifying the drone being in a first mode that is associated with the first configuration. The computer-implemented method further includes detecting a trigger signal based on an event. The computer-implemented method includes transmitting a transition signal configured to cause the drone to transition to the second mode that is associated with the second configuration.

This specification describes systems for unmanned aerial vehicle carrying and deployment. In some examples, an unmanned vehicle includes a drive system and a chassis. The chassis includes a platform for carrying an unmanned aerial vehicle and a retainer configured to secure the unmanned aerial vehicle to the platform while the drive system drives the unmanned vehicle. The clamping system includes at least a first rotating bar and a protrusion from the first rotating bar.

Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure are generally directed to a collaborative relationship between a UAV and an automobile. In a first exemplary method, a data capture system is provided in a UAV. The data capture system may be used to capture data when the UAV is in flight. A first computer in the UAV determines one or more limitations associated with wirelessly transmitting some or all of the data from the UAV to an automobile. The first computer may be further used to withhold wireless transmission of a portion of the data to the automobile due to the one or more limitations. The portion of data is transferred to a second computer in the automobile after landing the UAV on the automobile. In a second exemplary method, the UAV includes a communication relay system for relaying to an automobile, signals received from a satellite or a cellular base station.

A drone is deployed from a vehicle, e.g., an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, to assist in vehicle control, e.g. in situations in which the vehicle's embedded sensors may not provide sufficient information to perform a desired operation safely, e.g. backing up, parking in a tight environment, traversing a very narrow road, navigating a sharp corner, or bypassing an obstruction, etc. The deployed drone includes sensors, e.g. cameras, radars, LIDARs, etc, which capture sensor data from a position offset from the vehicle. Captured sensor data is communicated from the drone to a vehicle control system in the vehicle and/or to a remote control system, e.g., including an operator who can make decisions. Based on the captured sensor data, which supplements sensor data collected by the vehicle's embedded sensors, vehicle movement is controlled.

A construction machine that can reduce emission of greenhouse gas is described. The construction machine includes a main body that is revolvable by revolving of a revolving part, a working device connected to one side of the main body, a hydrogen tank inside another side of the main body that stores hydrogen, and a fuel cell provided inside the main body to which the hydrogen from the hydrogen tank is supplied.