Design and Experimental Evaluation of an Adaptive Landing Gear Mechanism for Safe UAV Landings on Inclined Surfaces

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, have become indispensable in various industries. However, their ability to land on inclined surfaces is often limited, posing significant safety concerns. This paper addresses this challenge by proposing an adaptive landing gear system designed specifically for UAVs. We investigate novel methodologies for takeoff and landing operations on uneven terrain, with a particular emphasis on Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capabilities. Our solution features a distinctive arm-like landing gear mechanism with a single degree of freedom, enabling adaptability to varying surface inclines. The development of this system encompasses a detailed mathematical model, sensorbased design, and the manufacturing process. Key components of the system include Ultrasonic sensors, a Servo motor, and an Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller. We also present a prototype model demonstrating the system's ability to align accurately with inclined surfaces. To validate our approach, we conducted experiments on an inclined platform, with results indicating that our mechanism effectively detects and adjusts to different incline angles, achieving a satisfactory average error rate. These findings underscore the accuracy and reliability of the proposed landing gear system.