A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, that may be incorporated into a personal automobile, comprises a rectangular wing including an upper wing section having a right upper wing side and a left upper wing side, a lower wing section having a right lower wing side and left lower wing side, a right vertical wing section coupled to the right upper wing side and to the right lower wing side, and a left vertical wing section coupled to the left upper wing side and to the left lower wing side, the upper wing section having an upper wing cross section with a first asymmetrical airfoil shape configured to cause lift when in forward flight, the lower wing section having a lower wing cross section with a second asymmetrical airfoil shape for causing lift when in forward flight, each of the right vertical wing section and the left vertical wing section having a vertical wing cross section with a symmetrical shape to cause lateral stability when in forward flight; two elevons on at least one of the upper wing section and the lower wing section; at least one rudder on each of the right vertical wing section and the left vertical wing section; a support frame coupled to the rectangular wing; and a propulsion system coupled to the support frame.

Provided is a flight vehicle that makes it possible to prevent electricity generation by a fuel cell from being stopped in flight even when a mistaken operation is conducted. The flight vehicle including a fuel cell and a propeller, the propeller to be driven by electric power generated by the fuel cell, the flight vehicle including: a stop device giving an instruction to stop the generation of electricity by the fuel cell; a control unit processing stopping of the generation of electricity by the fuel cell; a leg part grounding when the flight vehicle lands, to support a load of the flight vehicle; and a sensor detecting the load applied to the leg part, wherein the control unit permits the stopping of the generation of electricity based on signals from the stop device and the sensor only if a predetermined amount of the load is applied to the leg part.

Walking VTOL vehicles and related systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system can include one or more vertical thrust propulsion systems for providing vertical thrust for the vehicle, one or more horizontal thrust propulsion systems for providing horizontal thrust for the vehicle, and leg elements that are rotatable between a first configuration in which each leg element extends downwardly and a second configuration different from the first configuration. A representative method of operating a vehicle includes using vertical thrust to raise the vehicle upward, rotating a leg element forward, lowering the vehicle, and then rotating the leg element rearward to propel the vehicle forward.

An autonomous remote device for deployment in an area, comprising: a mechanism for launching the device airborne from a first of a plurality of locations; a mechanism for navigating the device when airborne to a second of the plurality of locations; and a mechanism for landing the device at the second of the plurality of locations.

Drones are engineered with sensors for use in insurance applications. After locating an object of interest, a drone performs an investigation by probing the object of interest. Sensors receive feedback from the object of interest. An electronic fingerprint of the drone is produced. Afterward, perils are computed based on the feedback and the fingerprint of the drone is used in insuring the object of interest. The act of probing includes thumping, drumming, or radiating ultrasound waves against the object of interest. The sensors can be turned off when they are within a geographic zone of prohibited operations.

Drones are engineered with sensors for use in insurance applications. After locating an object of interest, a drone performs an investigation by probing the object of interest. Sensors receive feedback from the object of interest. An electronic fingerprint of the drone is produced. Afterward, perils are computed based on the feedback and the fingerprint of the drone is used in insuring the object of interest. The act of probing includes thumping, drumming, or radiating ultrasound waves against the object of interest. The sensors can be turned off when they are within a geographic zone of prohibited operations.

An electric VTOL aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has folding wings each having an inboard wing portion coupled to an outboard portion via a hinge. Folding wings are known to be used during flight, although using a motor to fold and unfold the wings. In the present disclosure, the motor with its concomitant weight and complication is obviated or reduced by making the rotational axis of the hinge such that end of the hinge on the leading edge of the wing is displaced more outboard and lower than the end of the hinge on the trailing edge to allow the wing to fold and unfold passively. When in forward flight, a folded wing has more of the underside of the wing facing the flow, which pushes the wing upward, i.e., unfolding the wing. When the aeronautical apparatus transitions to vertical flight, gravity pulls the wings downward into the folded position.

An electric VTOL aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has folding wings each having an inboard wing portion coupled to an outboard portion via a hinge. Folding wings are known to be used during flight, although using a motor to fold and unfold the wings. In the present disclosure, the motor with its concomitant weight and complication is obviated or reduced by making the rotational axis of the hinge such that end of the hinge on the leading edge of the wing is displaced more outboard and lower than the end of the hinge on the trailing edge to allow the wing to fold and unfold passively. When in forward flight, a folded wing has more of the underside of the wing facing the flow, which pushes the wing upward, i.e., unfolding the wing. When the aeronautical apparatus transitions to vertical flight, gravity pulls the wings downward into the folded position.

A bogey undercarriage having at least two axles, each carrying at least two wheels, wherein at least one of the axles carries a wheel fitted with a rotary drive device and no brake device, while the other wheels are provided with brake devices and no movement devices is provided. A braking method applied to such an undercarriage is also provided.

A Pulsed Locomotor (120), for propelling media, fluids and crafts, in fluids and on land, comprising a blade (124) securely connected to a drive shaft (122). Upon reciprocation, the ambient medium is forced towards the trailing edge of the blade (124) thereby causing a reactive locomotion of the apparatus, substantially along the plane of the blade. Apparatus is secured to motor M by fastening through aperture (130). The apparatus can be operated directly by motor M, and indirectly by the reaction momentum imparted to a supporting platform P. Thrust is directed by steering handle (128) about a bearing (126), rotatably coupling to platform P and base C. Lubricant L is supplied to outlets (134) via conduit (136) and inlet (132), to coat the apparatus with a lubricant cavity, for drag reduction. The blade (124) planes along a figure 8 reciprocation path s1e1s2e2s1. Crafts are embodied.