According to two patent filings, Apple is working on new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), popularly known as drones.
Yash Jain
Since Apple is situated in the United States, it generally files patent applications with the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO); nonetheless, these new patents were submitted in Singapore in May 2020.
Apple is reportedly researching ways for pairing and unpairing drones with controllers, according to the first patent.
As a result of this technology, Apple may be searching for a means to develop software that can relay drone control from one controller to another, allowing a drone's total range to be increased without the controller having to go alongside it on the ground.
The second patent, titled "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Tracking and Control," was submitted with the USPTO in February. The invention pertains to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), specifically a system and method for tracking and controlling UAVs in a cellular network system.
According to this patent, the UTM might act as a central controller, allowing for automated decision-making when switching drone movement from one controller to another via an integrated cellular network on the drones.
Overall, the patents include little information that is relevant to customers, implying that these gadgets might be designed for internal use only.
Regardless, considering that photography and videography are currently significant emphasis areas for iPhones and Macs, this seems like a sensible product category for Apple to at least consider.