US 12,404,038 B2
Vehicle having drone docking station
Payam Akbari, LaSalle (CA); Adam Goodes, Rochester Hills, MI (US); and David W Smith, Shelby Township, MI (US)
Assigned to FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed by FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/186,393.
Prior Publication US 2024/0317430 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. B64U 70/93 (2023.01); B60J 7/11 (2006.01); B60K 35/00 (2024.01); B60P 3/11 (2006.01); B64F 1/36 (2024.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01)
CPC B64U 70/93 (2023.01) [B60J 7/11 (2013.01); B60K 35/00 (2013.01); B60P 3/11 (2013.01); B64F 1/362 (2013.01); G05D 1/101 (2013.01); B60K 2360/48 (2024.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle body defining an interior that includes a front row of seats including a driver's seat and at least one passenger seat, wherein a cargo bin is located between the driver's seat and the at least one passenger seat that has a movable lid to provide and prevent access to the cargo bin;
a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) located within the interior of the vehicle;
a docking station positioned within the cargo bin and including a docking station controller configured to communicate with the vehicle ECU; and
a drone configured to mate with the docking station, the drone being configured to fly and including a drone controller configured to communicate with the docking station;
wherein the vehicle ECU is configured to communicate instructions to the docking station controller to instruct the drone to disengage from the docking station and perform flight operations, and
wherein the vehicle ECU is configured to communicate instructions to the docking station controller to instruct the drone to cease flight operations and return to and mate with the docking station.