Launch-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A computer-implemented method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in a representative embodiment includes detecting at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight. Based at least in part on the at least the one detected parameter, the method can further include establishing a flight path for the UAV, and directing the UAV to fly the flight path.

A virtual reality system includes a drone including a rotor, a display, an audio speaker, a body harness having adjustable straps, and one or more processors in operative communication with the display, the audio speaker, and the drone. The drone may be fixed to the body harness. The one or more processors may be configured to issue audio-visual content to the display and audio speaker and control the rotor based on the issued audio-visual content.

A rotary wing vehicle includes a body structure having an elongated tubular backbone or core, and a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system having rotors with each rotor having a separate motor to drive the rotors about a common rotor axis of rotation. The rotor system is used to move the rotary wing vehicle in directional flight.

The present technology is directed to a remotely controlled aircraft that can be transported without the risk of damaging certain components, such as the arms and/or propellers. In one non-limiting example, the remotely controlled aircraft technology described herein provides a housing that allows the arms of the remotely controlled aircraft to extend and/or retract through openings in the housing. When retracted, the arms and propellers are protected within an area of the structure of the housing, and when extended, the arms and propellers are operable to make the remotely controlled aircraft fly.

The disclosed inventions include personal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) and UAV universal docking ports docking ports to be incorporated into and/or attached to headwear, including helmets, hard hats and hats and face masks, as well as footwear including boots and shoes, clothing and outerwear, devices, gear and equipment, land, air, water and space vehicles, buildings, wireless towers and other mobile or stationary objects and surfaces referred to collectively as docking stations. A docking station may have one or more docking ports for docking, networking and charging or refueling compact personal UAVs, and for providing data communications between said UAVs and other electronic devices that remain with the person while the UAV is in flight or driving or landed on terrain. Said docking ports may also incorporate wireless power transmission for remote wireless charging of one or more UAV's. Supplemental power for recharging said UAVs when docked may be supplied by integrated battery(s) in said docking port or me be provided directly from the docking station or other connected power source.

An obstacle avoidance system for a stabilized aerial vehicle and a method of controlling same are provided. Using low angular resolution obstacle proximity data, such as from low angular resolution obstacle detection sensors, when a determination is made that an operator command to a vehicle propulsion system will result in a collision, the system overrides the operator command and substitutes an avoidance speed command and avoidance heading, while maintaining operator situational awareness, in a manner that is transparent to the operator. In an implementation, examination of objects requires the obstacle avoidance system to allow the vehicle to get close to obstacles. A human-portable aerial vehicle according to an implementation can be used for building surveillance, route inspection, surveillance of windows/hallways/rooftops, power distribution towers, pipelines, bridges, buildings or close examination of suspect objects.

A technique is directed to launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The technique involves attaching a UAV launcher to a hand-held weapon, and installing a UAV onto the UAV launcher while the UAV launcher is attached to the hand-held weapon. The technique further involves activating the hand-held weapon to launch the UAV into flight from the UAV launcher. Since a user already may be carrying the hand-held weapon for firing ammunition, the user simply needs to further carry the UAV launcher and the UAV which, in some situations, can be packaged into an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack, a carrying case, and so on.

Launch-controlled unmanned aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A computer-implemented method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle in a representative embodiment includes detecting at least one parameter of a motion of the UAV as a user releases the UAV for flight. Based at least in part on the at least the one detected parameter, the method can further include establishing a flight path for the UAV, and directing the UAV to fly the flight path.

The present disclosure provides a drone system for surveying an area and transmitting collected video data to a headpiece display worn by a user operating a remote control for the drone. The drone itself includes a main drone coupled to a detachable relay drone which can disengage and be deployed therefrom mid-air in response to a detection of a loss of signal or signal quality below a predetermined threshold between the main drone and either the headpiece or the remote control. The main drone and relay drone then are programmed to fly in tandem to maintain the best signal strength until the relay drone is no longer needed at which point they can re-engage.

A Remote Drop Zone Atmospherics and Marking Platform provides wind speed and direction information to parachutists or operators who are using parachutes to deliver a parachutist or autonomous load to the ground.