A self-charging modular portable survival drone that recharges by natural elements is disclosed. The self-charging modular portable survival drone is capable of conventionally charging other devices, performing remote flight operations, and signaling for help. The natural elements include wind and water. The self-charging modular portable survival drone is configured to rapidly and repeatedly charge mobile battery units stored in ducted fan assemblies. The ducted fan assemblies can be used to charge personal electronic devices and power remote flight operations via modular drone. The self-charging modular portable survival drone can be used to signal for help using onboard high-output LEDs during SOS flight operations. The self-charging modular portable survival drone can further be used, during SOS flight operations, to broadcast current GPS coordinates over local search and rescue bands.

The present specification relates generally to unmanned aerial vehicles, and specifically to a vertical take-off and lift unmanned aerial vehicle configured for high speed, long-distance flight, and vertical take-off and lift, while carrying a significant payload. The aerial vehicle includes a first propeller and a second propeller, each comprising at least two blades and each disposed on opposite lateral edges of the aerial vehicle; a tail segment forming a trailing edge of the aerial vehicle, wherein the tail segment comprises: an elevator; and a first wing and a second wing, each comprising an aileron. The aerial vehicle further includes four fins, wherein the four fins are affixed to lateral edges behind the first propeller or the second propeller and configured as endplates; a motor; and a power supply.

The present specification relates generally to unmanned aerial vehicles, and specifically to a vertical take-off and lift unmanned aerial vehicle configured for high speed, long-distance flight, and vertical take-off and lift, while carrying a significant payload. The aerial vehicle includes a first propeller and a second propeller, each comprising at least two blades and each disposed on opposite lateral edges of the aerial vehicle; a tail segment forming a trailing edge of the aerial vehicle, wherein the tail segment comprises: an elevator; and a first wing and a second wing, each comprising an aileron. The aerial vehicle further includes four fins, wherein the four fins are affixed to lateral edges behind the first propeller or the second propeller and configured as endplates; a motor; and a power supply.

A tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) structure for crop protection and a control method thereof are provided. The tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor UAV structure for crop protection includes main lift power structures, tilt power structures, and a main frame structure, where the main frame structure is located in a middle; the main lift power structures are distributed at left and right ends of the main frame structure; and the tilt power structures are symmetrically distributed between the main frame structure and the main lift power structures. A vector power structure is adopted to ensure flexible attitude changes and smoother and more accurate UAV operations, and improve the operation efficiency. Meanwhile, the tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor UAV structure is adapted to the complex working environment in China's ever-changing terrains.

A tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) structure for crop protection and a control method thereof are provided. The tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor UAV structure for crop protection includes main lift power structures, tilt power structures, and a main frame structure, where the main frame structure is located in a middle; the main lift power structures are distributed at left and right ends of the main frame structure; and the tilt power structures are symmetrically distributed between the main frame structure and the main lift power structures. A vector power structure is adopted to ensure flexible attitude changes and smoother and more accurate UAV operations, and improve the operation efficiency. Meanwhile, the tilt rotor-based linear multi-rotor UAV structure is adapted to the complex working environment in China's ever-changing terrains.

Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for mission-adaptable aerial vehicle. In some aspects, a mission-adaptable aerial vehicle includes a configuration having swappable, manipulatable, and interchangeable sections and components connectable by a connection and fastening system able to be modified by an end-user in the field. In some embodiments, a mission-adaptable aerial vehicle can be configured to include a main center body extending along a longitudinal direction, a wing with a lateral cross-sectional airfoil shape, and/or stabilizer and control surface structures with corresponding cross-sectional airfoil shapes.

A flying vehicle that is compact and portable and can be carried over the roof rack of a passenger car. The flying vehicle includes an upper chassis and a lower chassis removably mounted to the upper chassis. The lower chassis is positioned below the upper chassis. Eight rotors, a battery pack, and a control unit are mounted to the upper chassis. A seat for the rider is mounted to the lower chassis directly below the battery pack. Such a position of the seat allows a rider to egress from the vehicle safely without requiring the vehicle to land and turn off the rotors.

A flying vehicle that is compact and portable and can be carried over the roof rack of a passenger car. The flying vehicle includes an upper chassis and a lower chassis removably mounted to the upper chassis. The lower chassis is positioned below the upper chassis. Eight rotors, a battery pack, and a control unit are mounted to the upper chassis. A seat for the rider is mounted to the lower chassis directly below the battery pack. Such a position of the seat allows a rider to egress from the vehicle safely without requiring the vehicle to land and turn off the rotors.

A modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can include a main body and one or more peripherals configured to be removably attached to the main body. The main body can be configured to identify the peripheral, such as through the provision of an identifying signal on the provisional. The processor can cause the UAV to execute a function based at least in part on the identification of the attached peripheral, or by user interaction with the peripheral or another component of the UAV.

Indoor mapping and modular control for UAVs and other autonomous vehicles, and associated systems and methods. A representative unmanned aerial vehicle system includes a body, a propulsion system carried by the body, a sensor system carried by the body, and a controller carried at least in part by the body and operatively coupled to the propulsion system and the sensor system. The controller is programmed with instructions that, when executed, operate in a first autonomous mode and a second autonomous mode. In the first autonomous mode, the instructions autonomously direct the propulsion system to convey the body along a first route within an indoor environment. While the body travels along the first route, the instructions receive inputs from the sensor system corresponding to features of the indoor environment. The features are stored as part of a 3-D map. In the second autonomous mode, the instructions direct the propulsion system to convey the body along a second route within the indoor environment, based at least in part on the 3-D map, and direct performance of an operation on the second route.