Various embodiments provide systems and/or methods for automated maintenance, delivery, retrieval, and/or communications using drones.

Landing pads for a drone. One of the landing pads can include a landing station configured to mount onto a non-horizontal surface; a landing area i) connected to the landing station and ii) with a first surface configured to receive a second surface of a landing gear of a drone; a fixed member i) connected to the landing station and that ii) includes a third surface near an end of the landing area and iii) is configured to contact an end of the landing gear of the drone; a moveable member i) connected to the landing station and ii) that is configured to a) move the landing gear across the first surface of the landing area and b) secure the landing gear of the drone substantially in place between the first surface of the landing area and the third surface of the fixed member.

A drone docking structure of an autonomous vehicle can include: a coil housing having a space for docking a drone to the vehicle; a docking cover configured to open or close a top portion of the coil housing according to whether the drone is docked; and a motor housing installed on a side surface of the coil housing and including a motor configured to actuate the docking cover.

A multi-level structure conveying system and method for assisting UAV landing are provided. The system includes conveying units and modular bottom plates. The modular bottom plate provides line connection between a power supply and a controller for the conveying unit. The conveying unit drives a UAV to move through driving a conveyor to move. Placement of the conveying units in different directions is used to control a movement direction of the UAV. The conveying units are connected through side plate modules to be arranged into conveying modules with different trajectories. The UAV moves on the conveying modules under driving of each conveying unit to reach a target position. A side plate bump of each conveying unit is sleeved opposite to a side plate recess of the adjacent conveying unit. A hollow channel formed by side plate holes of the adjacent conveying units is fixed by adopting a connecting shaft.

A mobile platform (100) for the aerial delivery of a load by drones comprising a landing plane (110) arranged to define a vertical axis y, at least one position sensor adapted measure a spatial orientation O of the vertical axis y with respect to a predetermined reference system S, a local control unit connected to said or each position sensor, a electric accumulator arranged to provide electric energy to said or each position sensor and to the local control unit. Furthermore, the local control unit is arranged to acquire the spatial orientation O of the vertical axis y, compare the spatial orientation O of the vertical axis y with a predetermined spatial orientation O′, generate a status of correct positioning when between the spatial orientation O and the predetermined spatial orientation O′ there is an angular deviation a lower than a predetermined value α.sub.max.

A contactless electrical energy transfer device including a first system which includes at least one first coil including at least one first winding around at least one first zone without wire, a layer of ferromagnetic elements, at least one small column passing through the first coil by passing through a first zone without wire, and a second system which includes at least one second coil including at least one second winding around at least one second zone without wire. The small column or columns make it possible to optimize the magnetic coupling coefficient despite the absence of a layer of ferromagnetic elements in the second system. Also, a flying vehicle fitted with rechargeable batteries and its recharging base, both equipped with the electrical energy transfer device are provided.

A system for aerial neutralization of a detected target aerial vehicle comprises a plurality of counter-attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and an aerial vehicle capture countermeasure coupling together the plurality of counter-attack UAVs, to intercept and capture a detected target aerial vehicle in a coordinated manner. The system comprises an aerial vehicle detection system comprising at least one detection sensor operable to detect the target aerial vehicle, and operable to provide command data to at least one counter-attack UAV for tracking and neutralizing the target aerial vehicle. The counter-attack UAVs and a net can be deployed from a movable base station, and the net can be carried in a low-drag configuration until the counter-attack UAVs operate to deploy or open the net. The counter-attack UAVs and systems may be autonomously operated. Associated systems and methods are provided.

A system for deploying and retrieving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a UAV carrier including a UAV bay, where the system includes a UAV pad including a UAV pad base and a UAV pad coupler to couple the UAV to the UAV pad base; a mechanical arm including a first end configured to couple to the UAV carrier, and a second end configured to couple to the UAV pad; and a controller configured to determine a deployment position for the UAV pad, determine a retrieval position for the UAV pad, control the UAV pad, and control the mechanical arm.

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.

This disclosure details exemplary moonroof systems for vehicles. An exemplary moonroof system may include a pod assembly that may be received within an opening of a headliner. The pod assembly may be utilized to dock, deploy, and land an unmanned aerial vehicle relative to the moonroof system. The pod assembly may include a charging and cooling system for charging and cooling the unmanned aerial vehicle when it is docked within the pod assembly.