How to Make Multirotor Drones Fly Longer with Different Loads?

What is it about?

This study explores how to make multirotor drones, like those used for deliveries, more energy-efficient when flying forward with different weights, including payloads. Unlike previous research that oversimplified energy use, we developed a detailed model based on real physics to show that the energy used per meter per unit mass stays constant at an optimal speed, which increases with weight. We also found that the drone’s pitch angle stays the same regardless of weight at this optimal speed. These insights, proven through math and simulations, help design better flight controls to extend drone range and mission time, benefiting delivery and air mobility applications.

Featured Image

Photo by George Kroeker on Unsplash

Photo by George Kroeker on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research is unique because it reveals for the first time that the energy efficiency of multirotor drones, measured as energy per meter per unit mass, remains constant at an optimal speed that varies with payload weight, challenging oversimplified assumptions in prior studies. The finding that the optimal pitch angle is invariant with mass offers a new perspective on flight control. This could significantly increase readership and impact by enabling energy-efficient flight strategies, extending mission ranges (e.g., for drone deliveries), and simplifying control designs, addressing the critical need for longer drone endurance in a growing $12.7 billion market by 2025.

Perspectives