This drone can land on a moving car

In a world-first, German researchers have successfully landed a solar powered drone on a moving vehicle 

An autonomous drone flying at 75 kmph has successfully landed itself on a moving car for the first time ever.

The three-metre-long, 20-kilogram unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was tested in an air field in Bavaria by researchers at the German Aerospace Centre. The roof of the car it landed on was outfitted with a platform that had optical markers, guiding the drone to its landing.

According to the engineers, the drone can navigate its position – accurate to within 50 cm – relative to the mobile platform. An optical tracking system recognises the landing platform and can be maneouvred into a remote landing.

The fixed-wing aircraft was developed without landing gear, to make it ultra light.

This "creates more space for scientific instruments," said the German Aerospace Centre, which means it could replace failed comunications during a natural disaster or emergency, or land in adverse weather like storms.
The other advantage of getting rid of landing gear and wheels is that the weight of the drone can be reduced, and it can stay airborne for days at a time.

Although the car in the video is being driven by a human, the researchers said: "In the future, in practical applications, a robotic vehicle without a driver could be used."
While this is the first time a UAV has landed on a moving car, drones have previously landed on a ship floating at sea.