An aerial vehicle is programmed or configured to respond to reports of events or conditions within spaces of a facility. The aerial vehicle travels to a location of a reported event or condition and captures data using onboard sensors. The aerial vehicle independently determines whether the reported event or condition is occurring, or is otherwise properly addressed by resources that are available at the location, using images or other data captured by the onboard sensors. Alternatively, the aerial vehicle transmits a request for additional resources to be provided at the location, where necessary. A map of the location generated based on images or other data captured by the onboard sensors may be utilized for any purpose, such as to make one or more recommendations of products that are appropriate for use at the facility.

The present invention provides a propulsion system for an aircraft. The system includes one or more thrust producing portions, wherein the one or more thrust producing portions include one or more duct means. The duct means are at least partially formed or defined by two or more substantially parallel wall members. At least one flapping or waving wing member is provided, at least partially located or positioned substantially within the one or more duct means, wherein the flapping or waving motion of the at least one wing member creates thrust, enabling the aircraft to fly in use.

A vertical take-off and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft has at least two flying wings (“FW”) with each FW equipped with multiple transverse-radial propellers or a propulsion system for producing a lift force and thrust force on the stationary or non-stationary FW. This VTOL/FWA is capable of exchanging payloads horizontally, as well as vertically, with a stationary or a moving object. In particular, the VTOL/FWA can “walk” on a building wall to adjust and anchor its position in order to rescue people from a high-rise-building window horizontally.

A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.

A multi-segment oblique flying wing aircraft which has three distinct segments including two outer wing segments and a central wing segment. The central segment may be thicker in the vertical direction and adapted to hold pilots and passengers. The outer wing segments may be substantially thinner and may taper as they progress outboard from the wing center. The multi-segment oblique flying wing aircraft be adapted for rotating into a high speed flight configuration, or may be adapted for take-off and cruise at a constant angle. In an extreme flight case, the central wing segment may rotate to a local sweep of ninety degrees.

A method for controlling a flying projectile which rotates during flight, comprising: determining an angle of rotation of an inertial mass spinning about an axis during flight; and controlling at least one actuator for altering at least a portion of an aerodynamic structure, selectively in dependence on the determined angle of rotation and a control input, to control aerodynamic forces during flight. An aerodynamic surface may rotate and interact with surrounding air during flight, to produce aerodynamic forces. A sensor determines an angular rotation of the spin during flight. A control system, responsive to the sensor, produces a control signal in dependence on the determined angular rotation. An actuator selectively alters an aerodynamic characteristic of the aerodynamic surface in response to the control signal.

A system for securing an aerial vehicle to a lower portion of a docking station, including a docking station having a top section located in an upper portion of the docking station, the top section having an interface configured to hang the docking station above the ground and a bottom section located in a lower portion of the docking station, the docking station having a latching mechanism located on the bottom section, configured to secure the aerial vehicle to the docking station, the system also including the aerial vehicle having a docking member configured to dock the aerial vehicle into the docking station and to release the aerial from the latching mechanism of the docking station, and a processing module configured to control the operation of the docking member.

A low energy consumption high-speed flight method, a wing ring mechanism, a flying saucer with wing rings, and a high-altitude power generation ring and an oppositely-pulling hovering-flight machine with the wing ring mechanism using the same are provided. The method enables the wing rings to tilt axially. The wing ring mechanism has the wing rings, a wing-ring rotating assembly, and wing-ring deflecting members each including a telescopic member and movable connecting members. The high-altitude power generation ring has the wing ring mechanism and cables. The wing ring mechanism is connected to the upper end of the cable that is connected to a part of a side of the wing ring mechanism; and the lower end of the cable is connected to a ground tie point. The oppositely-pulling hovering-flight machine uses two or two sets of aerostats or aircrafts that are respectively located in two airflows with opposite wind directions.

A movable device includes: at least one lift generating unit for generating a pressure difference between opposite sides thereof to generate a lift force; a movable device body connected to the lift generating unit to be movable by means of the lift force generated by the lift generating unit; and at least one supply duct, the number of which corresponds to the number of the lift generating unit, wherein on end of the supply duct is disposed on one side of the lift generating unit and, when the lift generating unit operates, fluid is suctioned through the other end of the supply duct to be supplied into the lift generating unit.