Bioinspired Vertiport System Design for Supporting Drone Swarms in Methane Gas Detection from Orphaned Wells

The aim of this paper is to explore bioinspired vertiport designs—a hub for drones’ vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and servicing, also referred to as a nesting station, docking station, hangar, or landing station—for drone swarms tasked with specific missions. The vertiport system design is inspired by tree structures, with branches represented by capsules that house drones. Solar panels mounted on actuators at the top of the vertiport adjust their orientation to maximize sun exposure, supplying power to the vertiport’s isolated grid for continuous energy day and night. A weather station located at the top transmits data to a computing system, ensuring environmental safety for drone operations. The vertiport’s key components include capsules that open and close during drone launch and landing. Each capsule is equipped with charging contacts for the drones, AprilTags to facilitate precise landing, and a mechanism to center the drone within the capsule upon closure. Designed to protect the drones from environmental conditions, these capsules feature robust structures capable of withstanding harsh weather, ensuring the drones are safeguarded inside. This design highlights the potential of bioinspired approaches in creating efficient vertiport systems.