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.

Landing pads for a drone. One of the landing pads can include a landing area with a first surface configured to receive a second surface of a landing gear of a drone; a docking area i) with a first end adjacent to the landing area and a second opposite end and ii) a docking surface configured to contact the second surface of the landing gear of the drone; a fixed member i) with a third surface adjacent to the second end of the docking area and ii) configured to contact an end of the landing gear of the drone; a moveable member configured to i) move the landing gear across the first surface of the landing area onto the docking surface and ii) secure the landing gear of the drone in place between the docking surface of the docking area and the third surface of the fixed member.

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.

Disclosed is a take-off and landing station (1) for a flying vehicle (2) for transporting people and/or loads, which flying vehicle takes off and lands vertically and comprises a flight module (3), having a plurality of drive units (17) arranged on a supporting framework structure (16) of the flight module (3), and a transportation module (4), which can be coupled to the flight module (3). The take-off and landing station (1) comprises a holding apparatus (21) having a plurality of gripper elements and support elements (11) for supporting, fixing and/or orienting the supporting framework structure (16) during take-off and landing of the flying vehicle (2) or the flight module (3).

The present invention relates to a system that can to capture, retain, and release a small UAV/drone. Exemplary embodiments include a plurality of capture mechanisms each include a capture arm coupled to an actuator. The capture mechanism can include two pivot points, one of which can move along a track or groove, to allow the capture arm to extend and retract while maintaining a small combined circumference during UAV landing while still being able to extend to engage with a retention ring on the UAV.

A landing system suitable for receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises an autonomous ground vehicle (AGV). A landing surface is disposed on the AGV, and the landing system comprises a loading channel suitable for passing an object delivered by the UAV through a first loading channel opening in the landing surface. The object passes within the loading channel through to a second loading channel opening at a bottom aspect of the AGV. In this way, a UAV can land on the landing surface, and the AGV positions the object in line with a target delivery location, where the object is delivered. Aspects of the landing system comprise an electromagnet or vacuum chamber for securing the UAV to the landing surface, thereby enhancing stability of the UAV during movement of the landing system.

A position correcting mechanism sandwiches, from both sides, a horizonal leg portion of a flying vehicle that has landed on a takeoff/landing surface of a stage, and moves the flying vehicle on the takeoff/landing surface to a position along a centerline. A grip mechanism grips a supporting leg portion of the flying vehicle. The flying vehicle is moved toward a securing device provided at an edge part of the stage, and an end portion of the horizontal leg portion is inserted into an insertion hole of an insertion part. The flying vehicle is thereby secured on the takeoff/landing surface.

A position correcting mechanism sandwiches, from both sides, a horizonal leg portion of a flying vehicle that has landed on a takeoff/landing surface of a stage, and moves the flying vehicle on the takeoff/landing surface to a position along a centerline. A grip mechanism grips a supporting leg portion of the flying vehicle. The flying vehicle is moved toward a securing device provided at an edge part of the stage, and an end portion of the horizontal leg portion is inserted into an insertion hole of an insertion part. The flying vehicle is thereby secured on the takeoff/landing surface.

A flight controller of a drone calculates a target attitude of the drone on a port based on the result of acquisition by an anemometer. The flight controller of the drone controls each of a plurality of rotors independently, and controls each of the rotors so as to make the drone on the port take a target attitude.

A landing platform for an unmanned aerial vehicle, including a plurality of substantially funnel-shaped centering housings configured to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of projections of the aerial vehicle for reaching a predetermined landing position. The platform can include a mechanism for recharging the battery of the aerial vehicle and/or with an arrangement for serial data transfer.