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.

A base station is disclosed that is configured for use with a UAV. The base station includes: an enclosure with an outer housing that defines a roof section and an inner housing that is connected to the outer housing; one or more heating elements that are supported by the enclosure and which are configured to heat the roof section; one or more fiducials that are supported by the enclosure; an illumination system that is supported by the enclosure and which is configured to illuminate the one or more fiducials; and a visualization system that is supported by the enclosure.

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.

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.

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.

Systems and methods relating to automated handline of aerial vehicles are disclosed. The described systems and methods can include a plurality of robots operating on a continuous, closed-loop track. A plurality of aerial vehicle handling stations can be disposed along the continuous, closed-loop track, and each of the plurality of robots can engage an aerial vehicles and transport it to the aerial vehicle handling station, as needed, in accordance with a workflow associated with the aerial vehicle. The described systems and methods can provide a fully automated system for the ground handling of multiple aerial vehicles simultaneously.

A system comprises a drone having autonomous drive capability and an assist vehicle (AV) for transporting the drone in an assisted drive mode in which the drone is held at, and transported by, the assist vehicle. Control hardware and software are programmed to determine drone travel over a route having a first route section in which the drone travels autonomously and a second route section in which the drone travels in the assisted drive mode.

The disclosure concerns a drone trailer system. The drone trailer system includes a rear door hingedly coupled to a distal end of a trailer. A first track system is disposed on the trailer at a floor thereof. A second track system is disposed on the rear door at an inner surface thereof. A movable platform is slidably engaged with the first track system, the second track system, or both. A drone is configured to sit on top of the moveable platform to allow for fast deployment.

Systems and methods relating to an end-of-arm-tool that can be used in connection with the automated handling of vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are disclosed. The described systems and methods can include an end-of-arm-tool which may include a load cell coupled to an end effector, such that forces and torques exerted on the end effector are translated onto the load cell. The measurement of forces and torques exerted on the end effector can facilitate determining various information in connection with the aerial vehicle, such as inertial properties or parameters associated with the aerial vehicle, the quality of the engagement between the end effector and the aerial vehicle, as well as diagnostic information in connection with the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the use of a load cell to measure forces and torques exerted on the end effector can eliminate the need to utilize traditional contact sensors typically required on the contact surfaces of an end-of-arm tool.