DroneKite

DroneKite concept.

Idea to combine an aerial drone with a dispatchable kite for long-distance, low-energy transport. You read it here first - this has never been proposed anywhere previously. The drone with cargo takes off from the ground and releases the kite once it reaches a certain altitude. The high-altitude wind then allows for for long-distance sailing, possibly over thousands of kilometers. Near the landing destination, the drone motors take over again and navigate the vehicle to the ground (kite may be retracted).

• Relies on good weather prediction
• Can pick up new cargo and deliver it to yet another destination, eventually making its way around the world
• batteries can recharge on wind at high altitude (just needs some velocity differential)