multirotorok

Multirotorok are rotorcraft equipped with multiple rotors arranged around a central frame. They are typically powered by electric brushless motors and controlled by an onboard flight controller that mixes rotor speeds to produce roll, pitch, yaw, and thrust. The most common configurations are quadcopters (four rotors), hexacopters (six), and octocopters (eight); tricopters (three) exist but are less common. Some designs use coaxial or tilting rotors to optimize lift or control.

Flight is achieved by varying the speed of individual motors. Balance of thrust maintains altitude and orientation, while yaw is controlled by creating asymmetric torque between opposing rotor pairs. Modern multirotors rely on sensor fusion from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), barometer, GPS, and sometimes optical flow or computer vision to maintain stable hover and follow trajectories. Autopilots enable features such as position hold, waypoint navigation, return-to-home, and autonomous surveying.

Typical components include a rigid frame, brushless motors, electronic speed controllers, a flight controller, a power source (battery), a power distribution system, and a radio link. Payloads such as cameras, LiDAR, or sensors are common, depending on the intended use. Flight time is highly dependent on payload and battery capacity, commonly ranging from about 5 to 30 minutes.

Applications are widespread: aerial photography and videography, mapping and surveying, inspection of infrastructure, agriculture, search and rescue, and research. The multirotor concept advanced with lighter materials, affordable motors, and accessible control electronics, gaining significant consumer and professional use in the 2010s. Regulation and safety considerations include aircraft registration, pilot certification where required, and restrictions on operation in populated areas or near airports.