As drone tech evolves, so do their capabilities. When designing commercial drones and attachments, linear servos are a great way to add functionality while limiting cost. Compact linear servos bring a level of control to drone systems that make tasks like retracting landing gear, stabilizing cameras, and releasing payloads more efficient and effective. Let’s dive into some of the ways linear servos can enhance commercial and hobbyist drone performance.

What Are Linear Servos and How Do They Work?

Let’s take a minute to look at what linear servos are, and how they work. Traditional rotary servos have a rotating shaft, often with a horn mounted on the end to which the load is mounted. The disadvantage with these is that they create rotary motion, whereas many applications require linear motion. Linear servos solve this problem by creating linear motion — meaning they push or pull along a straight path. A typical linear servo is made up of a motor, a gearbox, and a linear actuator that converts rotational motion into straight-line motion.