Patent Description:
The invention relates to a system, method and station for the landing and handling of a drone such as a passenger drone or the like. The invention also relates to a portable landing station or building for the landing and handling of a drone.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, may be used to carry passengers and freight. Such drones are currently being trialled for personal and freight transport in metropolitan or urban areas. Such passenger and freight drones typically have a passenger or freight pod and multiple propellers each carried by respective arms that extend outwardly of the pod.

The use of such drones in metropolitan or urban areas presents challenges such as providing designated areas for the take-off, landing, handling of the drones and passenger and/or freight logistics. For example, during take-off and landing the propellers present a significant hazard.

The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above-identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

<CIT> discloses an autonomous drone based package reception and surveillance system. <CIT> discloses a multi-level fulfillment center for unmanned aerial vehicles. <CIT> discloses unmanned aerial vehicle secure egress and ingress. <CIT> discloses an extendable and retractable parcel receiving apparatus for delivery drones. <CIT> discloses a drone box.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a system for landing a drone, the system including:.

The control arrangement may be adapted to determine an operating state of the drone in the second condition being in one of a safe and a non-safe state, and inhibit operation of the second closable barrier in the non-safe state.

The control arrangement may be adapted to determine an operating state of the drone in the first condition being in one of a safe and a non-safe state, and inhibit movement of the platform to within the space in a non-safe state.

The control arrangement may include at least one of a sensor and a communication link with the drone to determine the operating state of the drone.

The platform may include at least one sensor adapted to provide information to enable the control arrangement to determine the operating state of the drone.

The control arrangement may be adapted to identify an approaching drone, and move the platform, the first closable barrier and the second closable barrier to the first condition.

In the second condition, the control arrangement may be configured to move the first closable barrier to the closed condition.

The system may include: a first opening between the external environment and the space, and wherein the first closable barrier is located at the first opening; and a second opening between the space and the passenger zone, and wherein the second closable barrier is located at the second opening.

The first and second closable barriers may be arranged to substantially cover the respective first and second openings of the space in respective closed conditions.

The control arrangement may include actuators coupled to each of the first and second closable barriers.

The system may include pluralities of spaces, first and second closable barriers and platforms, and wherein the control arrangement is configured to coordinate the movement of the pluralities of the first and second closable barriers and the platforms so as to allow operation of pluralities of drones to each of the pluralities of the spaces.

The platform may be adapted to carry the drone into the space when being moved between the first condition and the second condition.

The platform may be adapted to convey the drone into the space when being moved between the first condition and the second condition.

The platform may be adapted to extend and retract relative to the space when being moved between the first condition and the second condition.

The platform may be adapted to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the space when being moved between the first condition and the second condition.

The passenger zone may be at least partially enclosed.

In yet another aspect, the platform at least one of carries and provides the first closable barrier.

The drone may be a passenger or freight drone.

In accordance with a second aspect there is provided, a portable landing station for a drone fitted with a system in accordance with the first aspect.

The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> there are shown two examples of a system <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, for the landing and handling of drones <NUM> (also known as autonomous flying vehicles or the like). The first example of the system <NUM> is fittable to new or existing buildings or structures <NUM>, and the second example of the system <NUM> is fittable to or provided as part of a portable building or structure <NUM>. The drones <NUM> may be freight or passenger drones <NUM>, although the systems <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably adapted to handle the interaction of people and drones <NUM>. It is noted that the term drone used herein includes all and any forms of autonomous or semi-autonomous flying machines being fully autonomous or being piloted.

Each example will be described in detail separately below, and like sequences of numerals such as <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, <NUM> are used to denote similar parts. However, turning firstly to a general overview of the systems <NUM>, <NUM>, each example includes generally similar functionality and includes drone landing and handling arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and a control arrangement or system <NUM>. The control arrangement or system <NUM> for both building and portable systems <NUM>, <NUM> is similar and are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and the methods of operations including example landing and take-off methods <NUM>, <NUM> are also similar and are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The drone landing and handling arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> includes one or more landing stations <NUM>, <NUM>. Each landing station <NUM>, <NUM> includes a landing space, zone or housing <NUM>, <NUM> dimensioned to receive the drone <NUM> in a landed state, a motive landing structure provided in the form of a moveable platform <NUM>, <NUM> movably receivable by the space <NUM>, <NUM> on which the drone <NUM> is supportable, a first closable or moveable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> between an external environment and the drone <NUM> when landed, and a second closable or moveable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> into the space <NUM>, <NUM> dimensioned to selectively allow the movement of a person between the drone <NUM> and a waiting area or passenger zone <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and second closable barriers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may partially or fully enclose the space <NUM>, <NUM>.

It is noted that in some examples the motive landing structure provided in the form of the platform <NUM>, <NUM> may include a fixed part or structure and a movable part or structure on which the drone <NUM> is supportable to move the drone <NUM> into the space <NUM>, <NUM>. The movable part, for example, may include conveying means supported above a fixed platform or the moveable part may be the platform itself as shown in the examples herein. Both examples are contemplated herein.

The control arrangement or system <NUM> is configured to selectively operate the platform <NUM>, <NUM>, the first closable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> and second closable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> between a first condition, in which the first closable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> is in an open condition, the second closable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> is in a closed condition and the drone <NUM> is landable on the platform <NUM>, <NUM>, and a second condition, in which the platform <NUM>, <NUM> and the landed drone <NUM> are receivable by the space <NUM>, <NUM>, the first closable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> is movable to a closed condition, and the second closable barrier <NUM>, <NUM> is moveable to an open condition.

The control arrangement or system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> that interfaces and operatively communicates with a variety of sensors <NUM>, actuators <NUM>, the drone <NUM> and external computing devices <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured by software to perform one or more of the steps as described herein such as those in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The systems <NUM>, <NUM> disclosed herein seek to provide an effective solution for the safe landing and take-off of passenger or freight hover drones in populated areas. For example, drones <NUM> may take-off from the portable drone landing station <NUM> of the portable building <NUM> in the outer areas of a city or on a building <NUM> roof top and then fly to the retractable landing platform <NUM> on the outside of a building <NUM>.

In particular, once the drones <NUM> have landed and the engines deactivated, the drone <NUM> is either lowered into the portable drone landing station <NUM> or horizontally retracted into the building station <NUM> by the respective drone landing platforms <NUM>, <NUM>. This ensures people waiting to get onto the drone or collect freight are kept safe and separated from the space by the second closable barriers <NUM>, <NUM> until the landing platform <NUM>, <NUM> is locked down into the final position.

Referring now more specifically to <FIG>, the first example of the system <NUM> relates to the system <NUM> fitted to a new or existing building <NUM> such as a high-rise building or the like. The drone landing and handling arrangement <NUM> may include a plurality of landing stations <NUM>, a passenger waiting area or zone <NUM> and maintenance/storage zones <NUM>. The drone handling arrangement <NUM> may occupy part, a whole floor or multiple floors of the building <NUM>. The control system or arrangement <NUM> may be located at the building or remote thereto.

Each one of the spaces <NUM> has an associated one of the platforms <NUM>, one of the first closable barriers <NUM> and one of the second closable barriers <NUM>. The platforms <NUM> are supported by a guide arrangement <NUM> adapted to move the platform <NUM> between an inward and outward position relative to the space <NUM>. Accordingly, the drone <NUM> may land on the platform <NUM> when outwardly extended, and then be carried inwardly within the space <NUM> when the platform <NUM> is retracted.

Typically, the exterior retractable platforms <NUM> of each of the landing stations <NUM> retracts to a closed position after the drone has landed or before it has taken-off. The exterior retractable platform <NUM> allows passengers to have safe access and egress to the drone <NUM> in controlled conditions within the space <NUM> with minimal weather impacts.

The guide arrangement <NUM> includes a roller system <NUM> having a set of side rollers <NUM> on two sides and these rollers <NUM> move over extendable tracks <NUM> that allow it to extend and then retract back into the building <NUM>. Fixed inner wheels <NUM> inside the tracks <NUM> are supported by posts <NUM> that are anchored into the floor plate <NUM> of the building <NUM> as shown best in <FIG>.

Main support beams <NUM> span across the underside of the landing platform <NUM> to provide the primary connection to the roller system <NUM> and support the platform <NUM> substructure. The substructure then consists of a series of beams <NUM> that are connected into the main support beams <NUM> and cantilever out to the end of the platform <NUM>.

The landing platform <NUM> has safety handrails <NUM> around all four sides to ensure the safety of the passengers and people maintaining the platform <NUM>. Access to the plant maintenance/storage zones <NUM> is restricted, and when there is work being undertaken in the landing station <NUM>, the area is shut down and will not allow any drone activity until completed. The handrails <NUM> provide a safe working platform if maintenance is needed on the platform <NUM> when external barriers <NUM> are open. The handrails <NUM> minimise aerodynamic effect on the drone <NUM> when landing on the platform <NUM>.

The platform <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM> in the form of winches <NUM> that are used to move the platform <NUM> inwardly and outwardly. The actuators <NUM> are controlled by the control system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> ensures the platform <NUM> is moved evenly over the roller system by controlling the winch speeds and measuring the distance of the platform from the winches to avoid the rollers jamming.

A sensor arrangement <NUM> is fitted to each landing station <NUM>. The sensor arrangement <NUM> may include a sound <NUM> and a motion sensor <NUM> placed at each a corner of each landing station <NUM> to detect any movement or noise as a secondary safety system. This will also detect any object, bird or unauthorised person in the landing area or space, and the control system <NUM> may be configured to automatically shut down the station <NUM> such as by locking the second closable barriers <NUM>, until the area is cleared and safe.

The space <NUM> includes a first opening <NUM> on an external face of the building <NUM> that is closable via the first closable barrier <NUM>. The closable barrier <NUM> is moveable via an actuator <NUM> that is operable by the control system <NUM> to allow the landed drone <NUM> to be received by the space <NUM> when the platform <NUM> is retracted. Each space <NUM> may have its own closable barrier <NUM>. The first closable barrier <NUM> may be a roller door or the like, or may be retractable bollard posts.

The second closable barrier <NUM> is arranged to cover an opening <NUM> of the space <NUM> to an internal area of building <NUM>, such as the passenger waiting area <NUM>, or the maintenance /storage zones <NUM>. The second closable barrier <NUM> may be an internal barrier door <NUM>. The door <NUM> is slidably moveable via an actuator <NUM> that is operatable by the control system <NUM> to allow a person to move between the drone <NUM> within the space <NUM> and the internal area of building <NUM>, such as the passenger waiting area <NUM>.

The second closable barrier <NUM>, provided here in the form of the internal barrier door <NUM>, is selectively movable by the control system <NUM> between an open and closed condition depending on the operating state of the drone <NUM>. For example, if the drone is in a safe-state, such as being landed on the platform <NUM>, the platform <NUM> being retracted and the first closable barrier <NUM> being in the closed condition, the second closable barrier <NUM> is moveable to an open condition to allow a passenger to enter and exit the space <NUM> and drone <NUM>. Each space <NUM> may have its own second closable barrier <NUM> or pluralities thereof.

Some examples of the building <NUM> may include pluralities of the drone handling and landing arrangements <NUM> on separate floors that each include pluralities of the landing stations <NUM>. In these situations, the use of each of the spaces <NUM> such as the extension and retraction of the platforms <NUM> is coordinated by the control system <NUM> as is further detailed below to prevent, for example, a collision between a drone and one of the platforms <NUM>.

The method of operation of the systems <NUM>, <NUM> is further detailed below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> for take-off and landing operations respectively. At step <NUM>, the control system <NUM> is notified of an approaching drone and the drone <NUM> is designated to a particular landing station <NUM>. The control system <NUM> sends a location signal from a GPS transponder <NUM> of the platform <NUM> to the approaching drone <NUM> such that the drone <NUM> is able to identify a centre landing position on the platform <NUM>. It is noted that in notifying the drone <NUM>, the control system <NUM> is also monitoring and coordinating the condition of the other landing stations <NUM> such as the position of the platforms <NUM> to avoid, for example, a collision with a higher platform when the drone is landing on a lower platform.

The control system <NUM> may include a weather unit or station <NUM> installed at or on the building <NUM> to measure the wind speed, turbulence, wind shear and other weather conditions that are critical for a drone <NUM> to land safely on the drone platform <NUM>. Accordingly, at step <NUM> the control system <NUM> conducts a landing condition check and weather check.

If the weather conditions are not suitable for a safe landing on the station <NUM> the drone <NUM> will be notified in advance so it can make an alternative landing at another landing station or return to the take-off station. If the weather conditions are favourable, the station <NUM> is configured for landing including the first closable barrier <NUM> of the designated the landing station <NUM> being activated to open and the drone landing platform <NUM> being moved via the winches <NUM> to an outward landing position extending outside of the building <NUM>. The drone <NUM> then lands on the platform <NUM>. It is noted that the landing condition check and weather check may further include a safety check using the sensors <NUM> to confirm the platform <NUM> is free for use and clear of obstacles.

After the drone <NUM> has landed onto the platform <NUM>, and the rotors of the drone <NUM> have stopped, the drone <NUM> may notify the control system <NUM> that it is not in operation. Accordingly, at step <NUM>, the control system <NUM> receives a landed signal from the drone <NUM> and performs its own cross check to confirm an off-state or "safe-state" of the drone. The control system sensors <NUM> that may include sound <NUM> and/or motion sensors <NUM> on each corner of the landing platform <NUM> also check that all the rotors have stopped and it is safe to retract the drone platform <NUM> into the building <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the control system <NUM> then moves the platform <NUM> and landing drone <NUM> into the landing space <NUM>. The electric winches <NUM> pull the landing platform <NUM> into the building via wire ropes <NUM> connected to the platform <NUM>. The control system <NUM> checks that each winch <NUM> is fully operational, before activating them to pull in the platform simultaneously. The control system <NUM> then controls the winch speeds and progress of the platform <NUM>. The force on each of the wire ropes <NUM> are measured with load gauges to inform the control system <NUM> of any out of balance load and the winch speeds are balanced accordingly to ensure a safe passage of the platform into the space <NUM> of the landing station <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the control system <NUM> confirms that the platform <NUM> is within the building <NUM> and re-confirms the off-state or "safe-state" using the sensors <NUM>. For example, as a secondary precaution, further motion sensors <NUM> may also be installed in each corner of the landing station <NUM> to ensure that the drone <NUM> is not operational before allowing the second closable barrier <NUM> provided in the form of the internal barrier doors <NUM> to open. An unsafe state may include, for example, the rotors still moving.

At step <NUM>, once the landing platform is locked into position within the building <NUM>, a signal is sent from the floor lock sensors so the exterior retractable barrier <NUM> can be closed. When the external barrier <NUM> is locked in position, the internal barrier doors <NUM> can open. The waiting area <NUM> inside the building <NUM> allows people to wait in a safe environment until the drone <NUM> arrives. The secure plant and maintenance room <NUM> may have tools and equipment for general maintenance of the landing station and minor repairs as needed, as well as electric battery recharge and change over stations.

For drone take-off, the reverse process similar to that described above for a drone landing is followed for a passenger boarding a drone to take-off or for freight to be transported from the drone landing station <NUM>. Accordingly, referring to <FIG>, at step <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may receive a signal indicating a departing drone and confirm, in the case of a passenger drone, that the passenger drones doors locked.

At step <NUM>, when a passenger has boarded the drone and the doors of the drone are closed, the control system <NUM> may confirm via the motion sensors <NUM> within the landing station <NUM> to ensure there is no movement in the landing space <NUM> before the internal barrier <NUM> is closed, at step <NUM>. When freight has been dropped off for a freight carrier drone, the same applies that when no one is present in the landing space <NUM> the internal barrier <NUM> are closed and secured.

At step <NUM>, the station <NUM> is configured for take-off including opening the first barrier <NUM> and moving or extending the platform <NUM> to the landing position of platform <NUM>. For the drone to take-off from the drone platform <NUM>, at step <NUM> the control system <NUM> performs a check with the weather station <NUM> to ensure the weather conditions are suitable. If there are sudden wind gusts or weather parameters that are not suitable, the drone landing platform <NUM> may be retraced and the first barrier <NUM> may be closed until it is deemed safe to resume. At step <NUM>, the control system <NUM> provides the drone with a confirmation signal to begin operation and the drone proceeds to take-off. The control system <NUM> may again used the sensors <NUM> to confirm the take-off of the drone and the drone may also send a departed confirmation signal to the control system <NUM>.

The drone landing station <NUM> may allow people or freight to be delivered safely into major hubs that integrate residential, retail and commercial developments together. The drone landing stations can be adapted to any new or existing building that has sufficient vertical clearance between the floor plates and horizontal clearance between the external columns for the retractable drone landing platform and door systems to be installed. In a new development or the refurbishment of an existing building, this could provide affordable housing apartments on the opposite side of the drone landing stations <NUM>.

The first example of the system <NUM> includes a portable building or station structure <NUM> in which the drone landing and handling arrangement <NUM> is configured to enable landing of the drone via the roof <NUM> of the portable building structure <NUM>. In this example, the drone landing and handling arrangement <NUM> includes two landing stations <NUM>.

Each landing station <NUM> includes a landing space or zone <NUM>, an associated one of the platforms <NUM>, the first closable barrier <NUM> and the second closable barrier <NUM>. In this example, the first closable barriers <NUM> is provided in the form of a retractable roof barrier <NUM> and the second closable barrier <NUM> includes internal passenger barriers <NUM> such as sliding doors. Between the two landing stations <NUM> is provided a passenger waiting area or zone <NUM> and a maintenance or storage area of zone <NUM>. However, it is noted that in some examples the first closable barriers <NUM> may be omitted as the platforms <NUM> may be configured to close the roof <NUM> when elevated.

In this example, the platforms <NUM> move vertically between a first landing position proximate the roof <NUM> to a second lowered position within the space <NUM>. Like the first example, the control system <NUM> coordinates and controls the movement of the retractable roof barrier <NUM>, platform <NUM> and internal passenger barriers <NUM>.

The overall method of operation is similar to the first example, however, of course, the platform <NUM> raises and lowers in this second example. Accordingly, methods <NUM>, <NUM> also generally apply to this example aside from the vertical movement of the platform <NUM>, and the method steps are not again repeated here in detail for brevity's sake.

Accordingly, in general terms, in this example, the exterior retractable roof barrier <NUM> is activated by the control system <NUM> to open when the designated drone <NUM> approaches. Each landing platform <NUM> sends the GPS transponder signal to the approaching drone <NUM> of where to land on the platform <NUM> so it is positioned in the centre.

The exterior retractable roof barrier <NUM> provides a secure barrier to prevent people or animals coming down into the station <NUM> and allows people to access and egress the drone <NUM> in controlled conditions within the landing station <NUM> without exposure to weather impacts (rain, hail, etc.).

Like the first example, a weather station <NUM> is installed on the top of the portable building <NUM> to measure the wind speed, turbulence, wind shear and other weather conditions that are critical for a drone to land safely. If the weather conditions are not suitable for a safe landing on the station the drone will be notified in advance so it can make an alternative landing at another landing station or return to the take-off station.

If the weather conditions are favourable, the roof barrier <NUM> is retracted and the drone landing platform <NUM> is moved upward to the roof position. The building <NUM> includes actuators <NUM> in the form of electric winches <NUM> at each of the four corners of each landing station <NUM> that form part of an elevation arrangement <NUM>.

The elevation arrangement <NUM> further includes a wire rope and pulley system <NUM> that is coupled to the electric winches <NUM> to lift and lower the landing platform up and down to the roof <NUM>. The control system <NUM> in the plant room checks that each winch <NUM> is fully operational, before activating them to lift-up the platform simultaneously. A levelling device may be placed on the platform <NUM> and notifies the control system if the platform <NUM> is not horizontal. The control system <NUM> then controls the winch speeds and progress of each corner to ensure the platform <NUM> is stable and horizontal. The force on each of the four wire ropes are measured with load gauges to inform the control system <NUM> of any out of balance load and the winch speeds are balanced accordingly to ensure a safe decent of the platform.

The roof top <NUM> of the building <NUM> includes safety handrails <NUM> around all four sides to ensure the safety of the maintainers on the roof of the station <NUM>. Access to the roof <NUM> is only via the plant maintenance room <NUM>, and when the roof access hatch is open the station <NUM> is automatically shut down by the control system <NUM> (such as by a hatch sensor) and will not allow any drone activity until completed. Motion sensors <NUM> and/or sound sensors <NUM> are also placed at each corner of the landing station roof <NUM> to detect any movement as a secondary safety system. This will also detect any animal or unauthorised person on the roof <NUM> and will automatically shut down the station until the area is cleared and safe.

After the drone <NUM> has landed onto the platform <NUM>, and the rotors have stopped, the drone <NUM> send a signal to the control system <NUM> that it is not in operation. The motion sensors <NUM> and/or sound sensors <NUM> on each corner of each landing platform also check that all the rotors have stopped and it is safe to lower the drone <NUM> platform <NUM> to the lowered floor position.

The control system <NUM> then coordinates the operation of the electric winches <NUM> at each of the four corners of the landing station floor, and then lowers the landing platform <NUM> from the roof level to the floor level via the wire rope and pulley system <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may be configured to check that each winch <NUM> is fully operational, before activating them to lift-up the platform <NUM> simultaneously.

Once the landing platform <NUM> is locked into the floor position, a signal is sent from the floor lock sensors so the two electric powered roof winches can pull out (close) the external roof barrier <NUM> to cover the landing platform <NUM> and space <NUM>. When the roof barrier <NUM> is locked in position, the internal passenger barriers <NUM> may open. As a secondary precaution, further sensors <NUM> such as motion sensors may be installed in each corner of the landing station <NUM> to ensure that the drone <NUM> is not operational before allowing the internal passenger barriers <NUM> to open.

The waiting area or zone <NUM> inside the portable building <NUM> allows people to be sheltered from the weather until the drone <NUM> arrives. The drones <NUM> could be ordered from an external computing device <NUM> such as a smartphone and be allocated to the user, like organising a car pickup from a ride sharing application, such as is shown in <FIG>. The secure plant and maintenance room <NUM> may have tools and equipment for general maintenance of the landing station and minor repairs as needed as well, as electric battery recharge and change over stations.

The landing zones or space <NUM> within the station <NUM> may be designed with natural ventilation louvres <NUM> around the sides to reduce the need for air-conditioning. Rain that falls into the landing zones <NUM> during take-off and landing would be discharged outside the building with a simple drainage system at floor level. For drone take-off, the reverse process to that described above for a drone landing is followed for a passenger boarding a drone to take-off or for freight to be transported from the drone landing station. When a passenger has boarded the drone and the doors are closed a signal is sent to the control system <NUM> that the passenger safety doors <NUM> can close. The motion sensors <NUM> within the landing station <NUM> ensure there is no movement in the landing area before the Passenger Safety Doors are closed. When freight has been dropped off for a freight carrier drone, the same applies that when no-one is present in the landing platform <NUM> area the passenger safety doors are closed and secured.

For the drone to take-off from the elevated drone platform <NUM>, a final check is undertaken with the weather station <NUM> to ensure the weather conditions are suitable. If there are sudden wind gusts or weather parameters that are not suitable, the drone landing platform will be lowered into position and the roof barrier <NUM> is closed until it is deemed safe to resume.

The portable building <NUM> including the landing stations <NUM> are envisaged to be cost effectively built and commissioned in factory conditions to allow mass production. The dimensions of the stations will be appropriate to the size of the passenger or freight drone being used. Larger stations can be transported on road or rail transport to the populated areas and lifted off by crane. For smaller stations or in difficult to access areas, the stations could be transported and lowered from a helicopter or large drone.

The portable building <NUM> may be positioned as frequently as needed to suit the demand and popular drone flight routes. Low voltage power supply would be needed at each station to operate the exterior retractable roof doors, interior safety doors and lighting. Solar roof panels/solar windows can be used to provide all/some of the power requirements.

The portable building <NUM> is preferably made of lightweight materials such as aluminium, to reduce weight for air transport if needed and this would reduce the whole of life operations and maintenance requirements. The portable building <NUM> would be preferably secured to the ground from wind loads with screw anchors or similar systems. Alternatively, concrete footings or above ground mass concrete support blocks could also be used.

The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>, <NUM>) for landing a drone (<NUM>), the system including:
a moveable platform (<NUM>, <NUM>) on which the drone is supportable in a landed state;
a space (<NUM>, <NUM>) dimensioned to receive the moveable platform and the drone in the landed state,
a first closable barrier (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged between the space and an external environment
a second closable barrier (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged between the space and a passenger zone (<NUM>, <NUM>) adjacent the space; and
a control arrangement (<NUM>) configured to selectively operate the moveable platform, the first closable barrier and the second closable barrier between:
a first condition, in which the first closable barrier is in an open condition, the second closable barrier is in a closed condition and the drone is landable on the moveable platform, and
a second condition, in which the moveable platform and the drone in the landed state are moved within the space, the first closable barrier is operated to a closed condition, and the second closable barrier is operated to an open condition.