WEARABLE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Wearable unmanned aerial vehicles and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative unmanned aerial vehicle includes a wearable, flyable support structure, and a propulsion system carried by the support structure. The propulsion system can include a power source and a plurality of propellers. In particular embodiments, the support structure can include a wrist band.
1 . An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
a wearable, flyable support structure; and
a propulsion system carried by the support structure, the propulsion system including:
a power source; and
a plurality of propellers.
2 . The UAV of claim 1 wherein the support structure is changeable between a first configuration in which the support structure is arranged to be worn by a user, and a second configuration in which the support structure is arranged to fly.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the support structure includes a boom portion elongated along an axis, and wherein the boom portion is curved about the axis in the first configuration and is curved transverse to the axis in the second configuration.
4 . The UAV of claim 1 , further comprising a payload carried by the support Structure.
5 . The UAV of claim 4 wherein the payload includes a camera.
6 . The UAV of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a wristband.
7 . The UAV of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a finger ring.
8 . The UAV of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a pair of eyeglasses.
9 . The UAV of claim 1 , further comprising an on-board flight controller operatively coupled to the propulsion system.
10 . The UAV of claim 9 wherein the flight controller is programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct the UAV to a pre-determined location.
11 . An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
a wearable, flyable support structure having a central portion and four boom portions depending from the central portion, with each boom portion being changeable between a first configuration in which the boom portion extends outwardly from the central portion in a first direction, and a second configuration in which the boom portion curves away from the central portion in a second direction different than the first direction, the four boom portions together forming a wrist band when in the second configuration;
a battery carried by the central portion;
a camera carried by the central portion and coupled to the battery;
a flight controller carried by the central portion and coupled to the battery;
four motors, each carried by a corresponding one of the boom portions; and
four propellers, each carried by a corresponding one of the motors.
12 . The UAV of claim 11 wherein the flight controller is programmed with instructions that, when executed:
direct the UAV from a user to a pre-determined location;
direct the camera to take a picture; and
direct the UAV to the user.
13 . The UAV of claim 12 wherein directing the camera includes directing the camera to take a picture of a user who launched the unmanned aerial vehicle.
14 . The UAV of claim 12 wherein the predetermined location is determined as the UAV is launched.
15 . The UAV of claim 11 wherein the flight controller is programmed with instructions that, when executed:
direct the UAV from a user to a pre-determined location; and
direct the UAV to follow the user as the user moves.
16 . The UAV of claim 11 , further comprising a closure element carried by at least one of the boom portions and positioned to releasably secure the at least one boom portion in the second configuration.
17 . A method for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
wearing the UAV;
taking the UAV off;
launching the UAV on a flight path;
retrieving the UAV; and
putting the UAV back on.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein wearing the UAV includes wearing the unmanned aerial vehicle on a wrist.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein wearing the UAV includes wearing the unmanned aerial vehicle on a finger.
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein the UAV is configured as a pair of eyeglasses, and wherein wearing the UAV includes supporting the UAV by a user's ears and nose.
21 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising moving away from the UAV after launching, while the UAV follows.
22 . The method of claim 17 wherein launching includes launching along a vector that is used as input to determine the flight path.
23 . A method for directing use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
instructing a user to:
wear the UAV;
take the UAV off;
launch the UAV on a flight path;
retrieve the UAV; and
put the UAV back on.
24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising programming the UAV with instructions to take a picture of the user while in flight.
25 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising programming the UAV with instructions to follow the user while in flight.
26 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising programming the UAV with instructions that, when executed, use at least one parameter in accordance with which the UAV is launched to determine the flight path of the UAV.