The monocoptor uses dynamics and controls to achieve under-actuated flight. Most drones have four rotors (or at least an even number), and there is a pretty clear physical reason for this: it allows for complete actuation in six degrees of freedom (X,Y,Z, pitch, roll, yaw). The even number of rotors causes the torques to cancel out, and you can vary the motor speeds individually to achieve actuated behavior. However, it is actually possible to use only one rotor while still preserving control over five degrees of freedom. Upon seeing a video of the Monospinner (created by the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control), we were immediately inspired to attempt the problem ourselves.