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 invention pertains to a remote-controlled miniature aircraft with at least one lift surface (17), with at least one pair of propeller drives (12, 13) and with a weight element (20), the position of which can be varied in the longitudinal direction of the miniature aircraft (10) in order to change the center of gravity of the miniature aircraft (10). In order to realize a more compact construction with improved flying characteristics, the lift surface (17) of the miniature aircraft (10) is arranged above a plane defined by the rotational axes of the propeller drives (12, 13) in order to generate a lifting force for taking off and/or landing from a standstill.

A method and apparatus for an unmanned aerial system is described herein. An unmanned aerial system capable of being launched from a grenade launcher includes a tubular body that encloses a compartment for a payload and a battery, a motor coupled to the tubular body, a propeller coupled to the motor, and a parachute disposed within the tubular body when the unmanned aerial system is in a stowed configuration and disposed outside of the tubular body when the unmanned aerial system is in a powered flight configuration.

A method for identifying an electronic speed control (ESC) of multiple ESCs controlled through a bus is provided. The method includes receiving an initial signal transmitted from the bus, and switching to an identification setting mode. The method also includes receiving an instruction signal transmitted by a motor corresponding to the ESC, and setting an identification of the ESC currently receiving the instruction signal with an unoccupied identification value. The method further includes transmitting an identification signal carrying the unoccupied identification value to the bus.

A rotorcraft including a fuselage, one or more motor-driven rotors for vertical flight, and a control system. The motors drive the one or more rotors in either of two directions of rotation to provide for flight in either an upright or an inverted orientation. An orientation sensor is used to control the primary direction of thrust, and operational instructions and gathered information are automatically adapted based on the orientation of the fuselage with respect to gravity. The rotors are configured with blades that invert to conform to the direction of rotation.

A computer that includes a processor and memory which stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include: initiate, from a vehicle, a fuel delivery request for fuel delivery by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); in response to the initiation, instruct a communication module in the vehicle to transmit a beacon signal to enable the UAV to locate the vehicle; and coordinate a docking procedure between the UAV and the vehicle to receive fuel from the UAV.

An improved drone with 4 flat wings reciprocating up and down, complete with motor and electronics. Appendages on each wing's surface allow air to pass across it during the up-motion, and block it in the down-motion; this creates lift and permits flight and manoeuvres. The drone resembles either a flying bird or an insect, depending on wing motion and on passive attachments appropriate for the respective resemblance, making for inconspicuousness. The drone can execute complex work, either as solitary or in a team, either in flight or at rest in various places, after approaching and adhering expertly.

A method and apparatus for scalable and fast deployment of drones are presented. The method is based on packing multiple drones within a cell structure that provides means for changing, communication and fast deployment of drones as well as environmental protection. Multiple cells can be combined the further scale up the number and rate of drones being deployed. In a preferable arrangement, individual drones are equipped with special contacts that allow them to connect to the cell and optionally with other drones for power supply, diagnostic and communication.

A method, apparatus, and system for charging an electrical storage system in a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a support frame, a propulsion, an electric storage system, an extendable structure, and a power management unit. The propulsion system, the electrical storage system, and the power management unit are physically coupled to the support frame. The electrical storage system supplies the electrical energy to the propulsion system. The group of thermoelectric modules physically is physically coupled to the extendable structure and generates a current in response to a heat being transferred through the group of modules. The power management unit is electrically coupled to the electrical storage system and the group of thermal thermoelectric modules and controls storing the electrical energy in the electrical storage system using the current from the group of thermoelectric modules and supplying the electrical energy to the propulsion system.

A control method includes determining whether an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being thrown off, determining whether the UAV is detached from a user in response to the UAV being thrown off, determining whether the UAV has a safe distance from the user in response to the UAV being detached from the user, and controlling the UAV to fly in response to the UAV having the safe distance from the user.