Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for implementing an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone with ducted fans. The drone includes a housing having a first surface and multiple ducts that each extend from the first surface to a second surface of the housing. The first surface is substantially flat. A respective fan assembly is installed in each of the ducts. The drone includes an internal cavity at a location intermediate two respective ducts and circuitry positioned in the internal cavity. The circuitry is operable to generate control signals used to operate the respective fan assemblies.

Abstract: Landing pads for a drone. One of the landing pads can include a landing area with a first surface configured to receive a second surface of a landing gear of a drone; a docking area i) with a first end adjacent to the landing area and a second opposite end and ii) a docking surface configured to contact the second surface of the landing gear of the drone; a fixed member i) with a third surface adjacent to the second end of the docking area and ii) configured to contact an end of the landing gear of the drone; a moveable member configured to i) move the landing gear across the first surface of the landing area onto the docking surface and ii) secure the landing gear of the drone in place between the docking surface of the docking area and the third surface of the fixed member.

Abstract: Landing pads for a drone. One of the landing pads can include a landing station configured to mount onto a non-horizontal surface; a landing area i) connected to the landing station and ii) with a first surface configured to receive a second surface of a landing gear of a drone; a fixed member i) connected to the landing station and that ii) includes a third surface near an end of the landing area and iii) is configured to contact an end of the landing gear of the drone; a moveable member i) connected to the landing station and ii) that is configured to a) move the landing gear across the first surface of the landing area and b) secure the landing gear of the drone substantially in place between the first surface of the landing area and the third surface of the fixed member.

Abstract: Stations for a drone are described as well as a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property using one or more drones. The drone is launched from a docking station and configured to navigate the property to perform operations to monitor the property. The docking station is located at an area of the property. The docking station includes a landing surface that is parallel to a particular area of the property that supports the docking station. A positioning surface of the docking station slopes toward the landing surface. The positioning surface, including its slope, is configured to receive the drone and guide the drone toward the landing surface.

Abstract: Techniques, devices, and systems are described for determining and adjusting a perspective angle of a drone sensor such as a camera. A described drone system can include an aerial drone; a ground station; an actuator to adjust the drone camera's field of view; and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive an event associated with one or more spatial coordinates or zones, determine the camera's current perspective angle, determine a target perspective angle based on the event such that the target perspective angle will cause the camera to capture imagery from the one or more spatial coordinates or zones, and cause the actuator to adjust the camera from the current perspective angle to the target perspective angle.