An aerial vehicle is programmed or configured to respond to reports of events or conditions within spaces of a facility. The aerial vehicle travels to a location of a reported event or condition and captures data using onboard sensors. The aerial vehicle independently determines whether the reported event or condition is occurring, or is otherwise properly addressed by resources that are available at the location, using images or other data captured by the onboard sensors. Alternatively, the aerial vehicle transmits a request for additional resources to be provided at the location, where necessary. A map of the location generated based on images or other data captured by the onboard sensors may be utilized for any purpose, such as to make one or more recommendations of products that are appropriate for use at the facility.

The present invention provides an aircraft design which incorporates a modular design including the use of one or more multi-motor assemblies where the motors are in series within the multi-motor assembly. Still further, the multi-motor assemblies may be configured to include modular motor assemblies or modular sections. Ultimately, the present invention provides an aircraft with the ability to easily assemble or expand the multi-motor assemblies and, in doing so, modify the characteristics of the aircraft. The modularity also enhances the ability to maintain the aircraft by enabling motors or the units housing each motor to easily be replaced.

A drone having a deployment device, which is configured such that the same can fly both in a folded mode and in a deployed mode. A platform 300 is arranged in the middle of the drone body 400, a deployment device 200 is arranged on the radial outer side of the platform 300, a fixed support table 230 extends outwardly from the radial outer surface of the platform 300, a rotating support table 210 is coupled to an outer free end of the fixed support table 230, and the rotating support table 210 is rotatably coupled to/supported on the outer free end of the fixed support table 230. Multiple propellers 100 are mounted on the radial outer ends of the rotating support table 210, respectively, a landing structure 600 is coupled to the body 400, and a holder 500 is mounted on the landing structure 600.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of propellers and an airframe. The airframe includes a body having a hollow portion, and a plurality of through holes connected to the hollow portion and formed on an outer peripheral surface of the body. The airframe also includes a plurality of arms supporting the plurality of propellers, and each arm of the plurality of arms includes a base end portion disposed at a body side in a longitudinal direction of the respective arm. The base end portion is inserted in a corresponding through hole of the plurality of through holes and supported by the body. Each arm of the plurality of arms is configured to be stored in the hollow portion of the body by being retracted into the body via the through hole, and expanded out of the body by being pulled out of the body via the through hole.

Systems and methods to reduce aerodynamic drag and/or affect flight characteristics of an aerial vehicle may include adjustable fairings associated with one or more components of the aerial vehicle. The adjustable fairings may be coupled to and at least partially surround a motor, propulsion mechanism, motor arm, strut, or other component of an aerial vehicle. In addition, the adjustable fairings may be passively movable between two or more positions responsive to airflow around the fairings, and/or the adjustable fairings may be actively moved between two more positions to affect flight characteristics. Further, the adjustable fairings may include actuatable elements to alter a portion of an outer surface of the fairings to thereby affect flight characteristics. In this manner, adjustable fairings associated with various components of an aerial vehicle may reduce aerodynamic drag and/or may improve control and safety of an aerial vehicle.

Transformable unmanned vehicles and related methods are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a body having, a first cap, a second cap spaced from the first cap, and a plurality of segments radially spaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The segments are movable relative to the first cap and the second cap. The vehicle includes a payload supported by the first cap. An actuation system moves the segments relative to the first cap and the second cap to transform the body between a first configuration and a second configuration different than the first configuration.

A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. The search and rescue drone may be flown manually, or may have some autonomous flight and locator capabilities. For example, in one embodiment, the search and rescue drone may be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes a basket, harness, or other means for actually recovering a swimmer in distress, and flying that person back to safety on a ship or on shore.

To provide an unmanned aerial vehicle that is optimized for freight purposes and that efficiently performs loading and unloading of freight and efficiently performs airframe management. This object is solved by an unmanned aerial vehicle that includes a plurality of propellers. An airframe of the unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a body having a freight chamber that is a hollow portion and that is integral with the body; and a plurality of arms supporting each of the plurality of propellers. A combination of the one arm and the one propeller or plurality of propellers supported by the one arm constitute a retractable propeller. The retractable propeller is partially or entirely storable in the freight chamber.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a plurality of propellers and an airframe. The airframe includes a body having a hollow portion, and a plurality of through holes connected to the hollow portion and formed on an outer peripheral surface of the body. The airframe also includes a plurality of arms supporting the plurality of propellers, and each arm of the plurality of arms includes a base end portion disposed at a body side in a longitudinal direction of the respective arm. The base end portion is inserted in a corresponding through hole of the plurality of through holes and supported by the body. Each arm of the plurality of arms is configured to be stored in the hollow portion of the body by being retracted into the body via the through hole, and expanded out of the body by being pulled out of the body via the through hole.

Systems and methods to improve controllability of an aerial vehicle responsive to degraded operational conditions are described. For example, one or more propeller blades of an aerial vehicle may be modifiable between two or more configurations. The configurations may include a low torque configuration suitable for normal operational conditions, and a high torque configuration suitable for degraded operational conditions. Various aspects or portions of a propeller blade may be modified to increase torque generated by the propeller blade due to drag or air resistance. The additional generated torque may then be used as a source of additional torque to improve controllability of the aerial vehicle responsive to degraded operational conditions.