A system performs a control method to launch an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV. The control method includes calculating a selected altitude, relative to a reference level, for launching the UAV, operating a lifting arrangement to vertically elevate the UAV to the selected altitude, and causing the UAV to be launched from the selected altitude. Elevating the UAV may improve the performance of the UAV in terms of range, power consumption, ability to carry payload, transit time to destination, etc. The selected altitude may be calculated as a function of parameter data representing any of the UAV, the lifting arrangement, or surrounding conditions. An apparatus is further provided to determine an optimal location of the system in relation to a plurality of destinations of UAVs to be elevated by the system.

An aerial vehicle securing system for use with a base portion of an aerial vehicle, comprising: at least one substantially flat platform for supporting said base portion upon landing of the vehicle thereon; at least one magnetizable element configured to be integrated in one of said platform or base portion; at least one electropermanent magnet configured to be integrated in another one of said platform or base portion, said electropermanent magnet configured for generating a magnetic field, so that upon a distance between said base portion and said platform reaching a pre-determined value during the landing of the vehicle on the platform, said magnetic field is configured to cause magnetizable element to be attracted to at least said one electropermanent magnet; and a power supply module configured for generating an electric current to said at least one electropermanent magnet for selectively generating and cancelling said magnetic field.

An aerial vehicle securing system for use with a base portion of an aerial vehicle, comprising: at least one substantially flat platform for supporting said base portion upon landing of the vehicle thereon; at least one magnetizable element configured to be integrated in one of said platform or base portion; at least one electropermanent magnet configured to be integrated in another one of said platform or base portion, said electropermanent magnet configured for generating a magnetic field, so that upon a distance between said base portion and said platform reaching a pre-determined value during the landing of the vehicle on the platform, said magnetic field is configured to cause magnetizable element to be attracted to at least said one electropermanent magnet; and a power supply module configured for generating an electric current to said at least one electropermanent magnet for selectively generating and cancelling said magnetic field.

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.

A vertiport system dynamically updates configuration of a vertiport based on predicted usage of the vertiport during a given time frame. The vertiport system predicts vertiport usage using flight data and estimated passenger demands and determines a desired number of parking pads and a desired number of final approach and takeoff (FATO) pads for the vertiport during the time frame. Based on the desired number of parking pads and the desired number of FATO pads for the vertiport, the vertiport system determines an updated configuration of the vertiport. According to the updated configuration, the vertiport system updates the configuration of the vertiport for at least a portion of the time frame.

The law enforcement standoff inspection drone capability (L-SID) integrates Various technology to enable a capability implemented at the squad car level to allow the first-to-scene the ability to remotely pre-screen the scene for threat, before an on-foot approach. This is accomplished with an officer launched and controlled and specially configure small unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The LAS is integrated with a specially configured one-hand drone controller, a wearable see through heads-up-display glasses, microphone that's linked to the UAS's onboard loudspeaker, and a special processing that enables looking through a vehicle of building tinted windows during enforcement event. The system operates on a private ad-hoc network, implements IEEE 802.1 1 g/n WPA 3 standards, and provides continuous live steamed scene data throughout the enforcement event. All data and video collected is transmitted in real-time to headquarters.

A mobility vehicle hub configured to function as a terminal for an air mobility vehicle, a ground mobility vehicle, or a water mobility vehicle, includes a plurality of layers through a combination of: a water layer connected to the surface of water and having an entrance for a water mobility vehicle; a port layer having a take-off and landing pad for an air mobility vehicle; or a ground layer configured to be connected to a ground and having an entrance for a ground mobility vehicle, wherein an elevation passage is provided between the layers, the elevation passage has an internal space extending in an up-down direction of the mobility vehicle hub, the internal space is connected to each of the water, port and ground layers, and the air mobility vehicle, the ground mobility vehicle, or the water mobility vehicle is lifted or lowered through the internal space.

An airplane towing system includes telescoping actuators on tow rods that react to pushing, towing, and turning forces to distribute the forces to the tow rods rather than to an airplane structure.

A flying object control system includes a flying object, and a setting base that performs holding of the flying object and releasing the holding, the flying object and the setting base being communicable with each other. The flying object controls, upon receiving a takeoff instruction, thrust for taking off from a predetermined initial position, and when the thrust becomes greater than or equal to a first threshold, the flying object notifies the setting base of a start notification. Upon receiving the start notification, the setting base releases the holding of the flying object and notifies the flying object of a release completion notification. Upon receiving the release completion notification, the flying object takes off from the predetermined initial position by controlling the thrust in such a manner that the thrust becomes a second threshold smaller than the first threshold.

Systems and methods relating to generations of models to facilitate safe, automated handling and maneuvering of vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), by robotic systems, such as a robotic arm. The described systems and methods can include a robotic system, such as a robotic arm, having a load cell to measure certain forces and torques to generate models representing the behavior of vehicles and surfaces on which the vehicles may be placed and/or from which the vehicles may be removed.