A port for electric vehicles includes an off-loading zone for off-loading one or more passengers from an electric vehicle; a loading zone for loading one or more passengers onto the electric vehicle; and a charging zone for charging the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is moving from the off-loading zone to the loading zone.

Disclosed is a docking station for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The docking station has a retractable guide apparatus having a retracted state in which the retractable guide apparatus is retracted within the docking station and an expanded state in which the retractable guide is expanded outward from the docking station for physically guiding the UAV into the docking station. Given that the guide apparatus is retractable, the retractable guide apparatus is provided with some protection from environmental factors such as exposure to ice, snow and high winds. This can help to increase durability and reliability, such that the UAV can reliably land in the docking station without any personnel being present. Deployment is also possible without any personnel being present. Therefore, it is possible to avoid or mitigate the costs associated with personnel.

Disclosed is a docking station for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The docking station has a retractable guide apparatus having a retracted state in which the retractable guide apparatus is retracted within the docking station and an expanded state in which the retractable guide is expanded outward from the docking station for physically guiding the UAV into the docking station. Given that the guide apparatus is retractable, the retractable guide apparatus is provided with some protection from environmental factors such as exposure to ice, snow and high winds. This can help to increase durability and reliability, such that the UAV can reliably land in the docking station without any personnel being present. Deployment is also possible without any personnel being present. Therefore, it is possible to avoid or mitigate the costs associated with personnel.

A helicopter tug apparatus for loading, transporting, and unloading a helicopter landing skid includes a plurality of landing skid loading units. The loading units are arranged to support the landing skid, and each of the loading units includes a skid cradle with a plurality of tug rollers configured to engage the landing skid. The loading units each include a drive track, and at least one motor for operating the skid cradle and the drive track. The rollers are reverse synchronized with the drive track, such that when the drive track moves the loading unit under the landing skid, the tug rollers turn in reverse to avoid placing lateral force on the landing skid.

A housing for a ground vehicle-mountable aerial vehicle is provided. The housing includes a base portion defining a cavity and an opening leading into the cavity. The cavity is structured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle therein. The cavity is configured so as to open upwardly when the housing is mounted on the vehicle. The housing also includes a drafting wall structured to extend from the base portion at a location forward of at least a portion of the cavity when the housing is mounted on the ground vehicle.

A housing for a ground vehicle-mountable aerial vehicle is provided. The housing includes a base portion defining a cavity and an opening leading into the cavity. The cavity is structured to receive an unmanned aerial vehicle therein. The cavity is configured so as to open upwardly when the housing is mounted on the vehicle. The housing also includes a drafting wall structured to extend from the base portion at a location forward of at least a portion of the cavity when the housing is mounted on the ground vehicle.

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 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.

The present invention relates to an autonomous, multi-use, subterranean aircraft pull-through system that connects with an aircraft arriving at the ramp pick-up point and transits through the terminal building, in a unidirectional movement, where the aircraft is serviced, then disconnects from the aircraft at the ramp release point. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system receives multiple aircraft in a row, with rows adjacent to each other, where aircraft are nose to tail, and side by side, occupying the smallest footprint in the industry. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system is remotely controlled and operates autonomously in a subterranean manner to assist in servicing the aircraft. The system helps to speed up the aircraft handling component of airside operations, improve safety, reduce emissions, and the cost factors borne by both airports and airlines. The autonomous, subterranean aircraft pull-through system design is versatile in handling all code A-F (ICAO) aircraft.

A vertiport exchange station has a plurality of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air taxis, a plurality of landing/takeoff pads arranged in a rectangular pattern, a passenger terminal for arrival and departure of passengers, a plurality of electric motor driven chassis each adapted to carry a pod adapted to carry one or more passengers, a transfer path guiding the chassis in a closed loop, and a control system. One or more incoming passengers enter a pod at the passenger terminal, an air taxi is guided to a specific pad, the chassis carrying the pod is transported to a point near the specific pad, is guided to stop on the specific pad, the air taxi is guided to connect to the pod, the pod is detached from the chassis, and the air taxi is guided to ascend and to proceed to a programmed destination.