Peter Ryseck built a system that keeps a long pole standing on one end by mounting a quadcopter-like set of propellers at the top. The propellers are not used to lift the pole away from the ground; instead, the controller changes thrust to counter each developing tilt.

The project had to deal with motor response, oscillation and even flex in the pole itself. The final control strategy can let the pole lean slightly into the wind rather than demanding a perfectly vertical pose.