Abstract: An illustrative battery charging device may identify a battery to be charged, and charge the identified battery using charge settings that are optimized for the identified battery. In some embodiments, the battery charging device may determine the optimized settings based on monitoring charging performance and discharge activities of the battery over time. The battery charging device may exchange data with a battery management service device, such as by exchanging battery health information, battery settings, and/or other data. The battery charging device may determine charge setting and times to charge a battery that is intended to power an unmanned aerial vehicle to complete a flight path.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable avionics that may be selectable for use with other UAV components to build a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. Various factors may be involved in the selection of the avionics, such as an availability of different avionics, payload requirements (size, weight, etc.), environmental conditions along an anticipated route of flight, a region of use of the UAV, compatibility, a distance of the flight, power considerations, security considerations, and/or other factors. The avionics may include various hardware and/or software which may provide control output (e.g., data, power, and/or mechanical) to other components and/or systems, including a propulsion system. Coupling devices may selectively couple the avionics to other components of the UAV, such as to a battery, a cargo bay or package, and/or to a propulsion system.

Abstract: An illustrative battery charging device may identify a battery to be charged, and charge the identified battery using charge settings that are optimized for the identified battery. In some embodiments, the battery charging device may determine the optimized settings based on monitoring charging performance and discharge activities of the battery over time. The battery charging device may exchange data with a battery management service device, such as by exchanging battery health information, battery settings, and/or other data. The battery charging device may determine charge setting and times to charge a battery that is intended to power an unmanned aerial vehicle to complete a flight path.

Abstract: A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable avionics that may be selectable for use with other UAV components to build a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. Various factors may be involved in the selection of the avionics, such as an availability of different avionics, payload requirements (size, weight, etc.), environmental conditions along an anticipated route of flight, a region of use of the UAV, compatibility, a distance of the flight, power considerations, security considerations, and/or other factors. The avionics may include various hardware and/or software which may provide control output (e.g., data, power, and/or mechanical) to other components and/or systems, including a propulsion system. Coupling devices may selectively couple the avionics to other components of the UAV, such as to a battery, a cargo bay or package, and/or to a propulsion system.

Abstract: A system including a payload bay having at least one sensor configured to determine the identity of an object being transported in the payload bay and verify that the object is properly seated within the payload bay. As an object is inserted into the payload bay of the vehicle, the sensor(s) detects a pattern located on the side of the object. As the sensor(s) detects the pattern, it transmits information that enables the system to determine both the identity of the object and position of the object within the payload bay. In this way, the sensor(s) enables the system to identify when a wrong object is loaded into the payload bay, and/or when the object is improperly seated within the payload bay.

Abstract: A switch for switching power to a load of a vehicle may be described. In an example, the switch may include a number of members configured to move between switch positions in a predefined order such that a load and a power source are electrically coupled or electrically decoupled via the switch based on the predefined order. In particular, a first member may be configured to move to a first switch position and form a first electrically conductive path having a first electrical property. A second member may be configured to move to a second switch position and form a second electrically conductive path having a second electrical property different from the first electrical property. A third member may be configured to move the second member based on movement of the first member to the first switch position such that movement of the second member to the second switch position may occur based on the movement of the first member to the first switch position.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: A system including a payload bay having at least one sensor configured to determine the identity of an object being transported in the payload bay and verify that the object is properly seated within the payload bay. As an object is inserted into the payload bay of the vehicle, the sensor(s) detects a pattern located on the side of the object. As the sensor(s) detects the pattern, it transmits information that enables the system to determine both the identity of the object and position of the object within the payload bay. In this way, the sensor(s) enables the system to identify when a wrong object is loaded into the payload bay, and/or when the object is improperly seated within the payload bay.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a single blade propeller and systems, devices, and techniques pertaining to assisting in critical stages of flight (e.g., takeoff, landing, emergency situations, etc.) in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The single blade propeller may be incorporated into fixed and rotary wing VTOL aircraft as part of a first propulsion system. The first propulsion system may include one or more single blade propellers driven by electric motors, combustion engines, and/or hybrid engines. Each of the single blade propellers may include a lift-producing blade and a counterweight opposite the lift-producing blade. As each of the single blade propellers spins, it may produce lift in a direction approximately perpendicular to the horizon to effect vertical flight.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pushing motor and propeller assembly that is oriented at approximately ninety degrees to one or more of the lifting motors. When the UAV is moving horizontally, the pushing motor may be engaged and the pushing propeller will aid in the horizontal propulsion of the UAV.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a single blade propeller and systems, devices, and techniques pertaining to assisting in critical stages of flight (e.g., takeoff, landing, emergency situations, etc.) in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The single blade propeller may be incorporated into fixed and rotary wing VTOL aircraft as part of a first propulsion system. The first propulsion system may include one or more single blade propellers driven by electric motors, combustion engines, and/or hybrid engines. Each of the single blade propellers may include a lift-producing blade and a counterweight opposite the lift-producing blade. As each of the single blade propellers spins, it may produce lift in a direction approximately perpendicular to the horizon to effect vertical flight.