An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, a plurality of arms extending outward from the chassis, a plurality of rotors, and a support structure mounted atop the chassis. Each rotor is mounted to a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms, is in communication with the control system, and is operable to generate lift under control of the control system. The support structure includes a plurality of arched struts that connect to one another at an apex region of the support structure.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, a plurality of arms extending outward from the chassis, a plurality of rotors, and a support structure mounted atop the chassis. Each rotor is mounted to a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms, is in communication with the control system, and is operable to generate lift under control of the control system. The support structure includes a plurality of arched struts that connect to one another at an apex region of the support structure.

An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

A method that includes takeoff of an aircraft assembly in a vertical orientation with a central axis X of the aircraft assembly perpendicular to the ground; rotating the aircraft assembly from the vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation where the central axis X is between −5° and 20° from true horizontal; and flying the aircraft assembly from a first location to a second location in the horizontal orientation with an aircraft of the aircraft assembly generating forward propulsion for forward flight and a wing body of the aircraft assembly generating aerodynamic lift for the aircraft assembly based on the forward flight in the horizontal orientation, the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing body supporting equal to or greater than 70% of the weight of the aircraft assembly.

A method that includes takeoff of an aircraft assembly in a vertical orientation with a central axis X of the aircraft assembly perpendicular to the ground; rotating the aircraft assembly from the vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation where the central axis X is between −5° and 20° from true horizontal; and flying the aircraft assembly from a first location to a second location in the horizontal orientation with an aircraft of the aircraft assembly generating forward propulsion for forward flight and a wing body of the aircraft assembly generating aerodynamic lift for the aircraft assembly based on the forward flight in the horizontal orientation, the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing body supporting equal to or greater than 70% of the weight of the aircraft assembly.

Provided is an apparatus or a method that can stabilize flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle after package receiving or package passing. A port as a package receiving or passing apparatus includes: a landing portion on which an aerial vehicle lands; a slider for horizontally moving the landed aerial vehicle to an indoor area; an elevating/lowering portion on which a package-chamber tray taken down from the aerial vehicle in the indoor area is to be placed; a movement control portion for elevating/lowering an elevating/lowering portion; a package moving portion for moving a package between a package storage portion and the package-chamber tray placed on the elevating/lowering portion; and a center of gravity adjustment portion for adjusting the center of gravity position of the aerial vehicle after package receiving or package passing.

Provided is an apparatus or a method that can stabilize flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle after package receiving or package passing. A port as a package receiving or passing apparatus includes: a landing portion on which an aerial vehicle lands; a slider for horizontally moving the landed aerial vehicle to an indoor area; an elevating/lowering portion on which a package-chamber tray taken down from the aerial vehicle in the indoor area is to be placed; a movement control portion for elevating/lowering an elevating/lowering portion; a package moving portion for moving a package between a package storage portion and the package-chamber tray placed on the elevating/lowering portion; and a center of gravity adjustment portion for adjusting the center of gravity position of the aerial vehicle after package receiving or package passing.

A flying robot includes a body, an arm disposed on a lateral side of the body, a leg disposed under the body, and a propulsion unit disposed around the body. The arm is able to move at least to above the body, and the propulsion unit is disposed in an area different from an area in which the arm is able to move and to do predetermined work.

A flying robot includes a body, an arm disposed on a lateral side of the body, a leg disposed under the body, and a propulsion unit disposed around the body. The arm is able to move at least to above the body, and the propulsion unit is disposed in an area different from an area in which the arm is able to move and to do predetermined work.