A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within a flight operating space. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes one or more sensor arrays on each spar. The method includes determining, using a plurality of sensor arrays, a flight path for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method also includes receiving, by at least one sensor array of the plurality of sensor arrays, sensor data identifying at least one object in the operating space. The sensor data is transmitted over a communications bus connecting components of the UAV. The method further includes determining, by one or more processors onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight path around the at least one object. The method also includes generating, by the one or more onboard processors, a first signal to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to navigate within the operating space around the at least one object.

A multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a central body including an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality of branch members connected to the central body, each branch member configured to support a corresponding actuator assembly, one or more receiving structures positioned on the outer surface of the central body and configured to receive one or more electrical components, the one or more electrical components comprising at least a battery of the UAV, and an indicator light disposed at an opening or a window on one of the plurality of branch members, wherein the opening or the window is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material.

An unmanned helicopter platform includes a fuselage, a tail coupled with the fuselage, a payload rail coupled with and extending along the fuselage and a main rotor assembly coupled with the fuselage. The tail includes a tail rotor and a tail rotor motor. The main rotor assembly includes a main rotor having an axis of rotation and a main rotor motor. The payload rail allows mechanical connection of payloads to the fuselage and positioning of the payloads such that a center of gravity of the payloads is alignable with the axis of rotation. A system for controlling the unmanned helicopter includes a processor and a memory for providing instructions to the processor. The processor can receive a task, dynamically determine a route for the task and autonomously perform the task including flying along at least part of the route. The route is based on the task, geography and terrain.

An aerial vehicle electrical power system for use with a tethered aerial vehicle, and related methods are provided. The aerial vehicle electric power system includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) carried by an aerial vehicle. At least one electrical circuit is carried by the aerial vehicle. The at least one electrical circuit has a DC buck converter electrically in series with at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs. A tether is connected between the aerial vehicle and a power source positioned remote from the aerial vehicle. Electrical power is transmitted to the aerial vehicle and at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs through the tether. The electrical circuit minimizes variances in power supplied to the aerial vehicle and the plurality of LEDs.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for use in the detection, localization, and quantification of gas leaks are provided. More specifically the use of an in-situ sensor mounted to a UAS such that the sensor is positioned in a region unaffected by prop wash that is relatively undisturbed by the effects of the propeller(s) and other environmental conditions when in use is described. Additionally, methods of determining the optimal placement of the in-situ sensor on any given UAS are also provided.

Provided is a technique for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight according to a battery level. A drone control device controls a drone according to a battery level, including: a flight distance calculation unit, calculating a flight distance according to an airframe position at any time point and a landing place of the drone; a battery status acquisition unit, acquiring the battery level of the drone; an estimated battery consumption calculation unit, calculating an estimated battery consumption when the drone flies over the flight distance calculated by the flight distance calculation unit; and a return decision unit, deciding, on the basis of the battery level of the drone and the estimated battery consumption, whether the drone is capable of flying over the flight distance and return.

A method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within a flight operating space. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes one or more sensor arrays on each spar. The method includes determining, using a plurality of sensor arrays, a flight path for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method also includes receiving, by at least one sensor array of the plurality of sensor arrays, sensor data identifying at least one object in the operating space. The sensor data is transmitted over a communications bus connecting components of the UAV. The method further includes determining, by one or more processors onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight path around the at least one object. The method also includes generating, by the one or more onboard processors, a first signal to cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to navigate within the operating space around the at least one object.

A circuit board includes a board body including a wiring; a micro-control unit, arranged on the board body; and an inertial measurement unit arranged on the board body and in communication with the micro-control unit via the wiring to transmit inertial measurement data detected by the inertial measurement unit to the micro-control unit, and where the board body includes a main body part and an isolated part located at a peripheral of the main body part, the micro-control unit is supported on the main body part, and the inertial measurement unit is supported on the isolated part.

A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving flight performance using increasing structural stability and increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a flight direction display method and apparatus, and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The method includes: obtaining a flight direction indication of an aircraft sent by a camera system, where the flight direction indication is determined by the camera system according to a relative angle between a camera apparatus and the aircraft; and displaying the flight direction indication of the aircraft on a shooting preview screen. In this way, a flight direction of the aircraft is controlled according to the flight direction indication, so that in a shooting process, a flight direction of a fuselage of the aircraft is the same as a rotation direction of the camera apparatus, so as to shoot content wanted by the camera apparatus, thereby improving user experience.