A center C of a connecting portion coincides with a center U of lift generated in a body of a rotary-wing aircraft. The center C of the connecting portion is a point of action of gravitational force of a support rod and a first mounting portion with respect to the connecting portion. The center U of the lift is a point of action of the lift on the rotary-wing aircraft and is the center of rotation of the connecting portion.

A center C of a connecting portion coincides with a center U of lift generated in a body of a rotary-wing aircraft. The center C of the connecting portion is a point of action of gravitational force of a support rod and a first mounting portion with respect to the connecting portion. The center U of the lift is a point of action of the lift on the rotary-wing aircraft and is the center of rotation of the connecting portion.

A vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft has a pair of fixed wings fore and aft, straddling a pair of tiltable propulsors, such as ducted fans. The aircraft includes a modular crew cabin or freight payload and a dynamic counterbalance positioning system which can shift the location of an integral aircraft segment which may contain operational components such as fuel tanks, batteries, avionics equipment etc. in order to move the aircraft center of gravity closer to the center of lift and/or vertical thrust.

A vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft has a pair of fixed wings fore and aft, straddling a pair of tiltable propulsors, such as ducted fans. The aircraft includes a modular crew cabin or freight payload and a dynamic counterbalance positioning system which can shift the location of an integral aircraft segment which may contain operational components such as fuel tanks, batteries, avionics equipment etc. in order to move the aircraft center of gravity closer to the center of lift and/or vertical thrust.

An autonomous cargo container retrieval and delivery system locates a select cargo container and maneuvers an unmanned aerial vehicle proximate to the container for retrieval. The vehicle positions itself to engage the cargo container using a grasping mechanism, and, responsive to engaging the cargo container, retracts the cargo container toward the vehicle. As the cargo container is retracted toward the vehicle, weight sensors within the retrieval mechanism sense the weight and the weight distribution of the cargo container, and, can modify the cargo container's location on the vehicle to optimize vehicle flight operations or replace the container on the ground and alert the operator that the cargo container is too heavy or has an improper weight distribution. Upon mating the cargo container with the vehicle, a coupling mechanism latches or secures the cargo container to the vehicle for further flight and/or ground operations.

An autonomous cargo container retrieval and delivery system locates a select cargo container and maneuvers an unmanned aerial vehicle proximate to the container for retrieval. The vehicle positions itself to engage the cargo container using a grasping mechanism, and, responsive to engaging the cargo container, retracts the cargo container toward the vehicle. As the cargo container is retracted toward the vehicle, weight sensors within the retrieval mechanism sense the weight and the weight distribution of the cargo container, and, can modify the cargo container's location on the vehicle to optimize vehicle flight operations or replace the container on the ground and alert the operator that the cargo container is too heavy or has an improper weight distribution. Upon mating the cargo container with the vehicle, a coupling mechanism latches or secures the cargo container to the vehicle for further flight and/or ground operations.

A hover-capable flying machine such as a drone includes a robotic arm extending from the body, and an instrumentality for balancing the machine in response to disturbances such as those caused by picking up and dropping of the payload by the extended robotic arm. In embodiments, the end of the arm is equipped with a balancing rotor assembly that may provide lift sufficient to counteract the weight of the payload and/or of the arm. In embodiments, the machine's power pack is shifted in response to the disturbances. The power pack may be moved, for example, on a rail within and/or extending beyond the machine in a direction generally opposite to the extended arm. The power pack may also be built into a bandolier-like device that can be rolled-in and rolled out, thus changing the center of gravity of the machine.

A hover-capable flying machine such as a drone includes a robotic arm extending from the body, and an instrumentality for balancing the machine in response to disturbances such as those caused by picking up and dropping of the payload by the extended robotic arm. In embodiments, the end of the arm is equipped with a balancing rotor assembly that may provide lift sufficient to counteract the weight of the payload and/or of the arm. In embodiments, the machine's power pack is shifted in response to the disturbances. The power pack may be moved, for example, on a rail within and/or extending beyond the machine in a direction generally opposite to the extended arm. The power pack may also be built into a bandolier-like device that can be rolled-in and rolled out, thus changing the center of gravity of the machine.

The present technology relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a drive method, and a program that make it possible to easily balance an airframe. An unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a plurality of motors that rotates a plurality of propellers; a movable part that moves a center-of-gravity position adjustment member; and a control unit that controls movement of the center-of-gravity position adjustment member by the movable part. The present technology can be applied to unmanned aerial vehicles.

The present technology relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle, a drive method, and a program that make it possible to easily balance an airframe. An unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a plurality of motors that rotates a plurality of propellers; a movable part that moves a center-of-gravity position adjustment member; and a control unit that controls movement of the center-of-gravity position adjustment member by the movable part. The present technology can be applied to unmanned aerial vehicles.