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.
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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
As an individual, I find it exciting to contribute to a field where my work can directly influence real-world drone operations, like delivery services. Unraveling the relationship between mass, speed, and energy efficiency feels like solving a puzzle that could make drones more practical and sustainable. It’s rewarding to see how our detailed modeling bridges theory and application, potentially shaping future innovations in aerial technology.
Ayush Patnaik
University of California Davis
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Enhancing Multirotor Drone Efficiency: Exploring Minimum Energy Consumption of Forward Flight Under Varying Payload, January 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-2187.
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