Sounds are generated by an aerial vehicle during operation. For example, the motors and propellers of an aerial vehicle generate sounds during operation. Disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for actively adjusting the position of one or more propeller blade treatments of a propeller blade of an aerial vehicle during operation of the aerial vehicle. For example, the propeller blade may have one or more propeller blade treatments that may be adjusted between two or more positions. Based on the position of the propeller blade treatments, the airflow over the propeller is altered, thereby altering the sound generated by the propeller when rotating. By altering the propeller blade treatments on multiple propeller blades of the aerial vehicle, the different sounds generated by the different propeller blades may effectively cancel, reduce, and/or otherwise alter the total sound generated by the aerial vehicle.

A fact checking system utilizes social networking information and analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The social networking fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information and/or provides a status of the information, including automatically modifying a web page to include the fact check results. The fact checking system is able to be implemented utilizing a drone device.

A fact checking system utilizes social networking information and analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The social networking fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information and/or provides a status of the information, including automatically modifying a web page to include the fact check results. The fact checking system is able to be implemented utilizing a drone device.

A system for enabling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to respond to an alert on a premises, where the UAV may either confront the alert situation or monitor the alert situation from a distance. The UAV may respond to the alert situation after a controller receives alert event data from an alert generator. The controller may further match the data received to a number of event types stored in a database. This information allows a flight plan to be determined which will allow the UAV to navigate to a location associated with the alert situation.

Methods and apparatus for vertical or short takeoff and landing, and operational control during flight. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises two or more counter driven rings with one or more airfoils attached. In one variant, there is an upper ring and a lower ring, each with multiple airfoils attached. In one variant, lift is generated largely via ambient air currents, allowing for long term on-station operation of the device. In another variant, a fuselage (or parts thereof) of the apparatus can be independently controlled, including for example as to attitude relative to other components of the craft.

An aerial drone device includes sensors and cameras to acquire information and content. The aerial drone device acquires depth information and navigates based on the acquired information and content, including avoiding an obstacle. The aerial drone device generates a depth map which is used to track an object. The aerial drone device is able to be re-positioned to avoid an obstruction using the depth map and obstruction analysis.

Methods and apparatus for vertical or short takeoff and landing. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises two or more counter driven rings with one or more airfoils attached. In one variant, there is an upper ring and a lower ring, each with multiple airfoils attached. In one variant, lift is generated largely via ambient air currents, allowing for long term on-station operation of the device.

A method for improving ground movement capability and enhancing stealth in unmanned aerial vehicles is provided. The present method comprises providing, in an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with wheels, one or more onboard drive means capable of translating torque through the vehicle wheels and controllable to move the unmanned aerial vehicle on the ground without reliance on the unmanned aerial vehicle main motive power source. The onboard drive means is controllably powered by a power source with substantially no acoustic signature to move the unmanned aerial vehicle quietly on the ground with only a minimal audible or visible footprint. This method provides a significant expansion of ground movement capability and expands the potential ground uses of unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly in military applications. The present method can also be applied to move any manned aerial vehicle or aircraft on the ground with only minimal audible or visible footprints.

An aircraft apparatus is disclosed that has a fuselage; and a wing coupled to the fuselage, where the wing comprises a port outboard wing section and a starboard outboard wing section; where each of the port outboard wing section and the starboard outboard wing section comprise at least one of: curved leading edges of varying radii and curved trailing edges of varying radii.

An aircraft apparatus is disclosed that has a fuselage; and a wing coupled to the fuselage, where the wing comprises a port outboard wing section and a starboard outboard wing section; where each of the port outboard wing section and the starboard outboard wing section comprise at least one of: curved leading edges of varying radii and curved trailing edges of varying radii.