According to various embodiments, there is provided a safety motor controller (SMC) for installing in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) between at least one electronic speed controller (ESC) configured to use a predetermined data protocol and an existing motor controller (EMC) configured to transmit EMC motor control signals in accordance with the predetermined data protocol to the at least one ESC, the SMC including: an input port configured to receive the EMC motor control signals in accordance with the predetermined data protocol from the EMC; and a processor configured to detect a trigger event and to transmit SMC motor control signals corresponding to at least one of the EMC motor control signals in accordance with the predetermined data protocol to the at least one ESC in response to the trigger event.