Game of drones: do you want to join in?
Last March, a 15-year old boy pocketed 250.000 dollars by winning the amazing World Drone Prix that took place in Dubai, which distributed up to one million dollars in prize money. He attained the first position amongst a selection of pilots that were competing on the biggest unmanned mini aircrafts race in the world. The event was sponsored by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktum. Is piloting drones a game? Certainly,
Last March, a 15-year old boy pocketed 250.000 dollars by winning the amazing World Drone Prix that took place in Dubai, which distributed up to one million dollars in prize money. He attained the first position amongst a selection of pilots that were competing on the biggest unmanned mini aircrafts race in the world. The event was sponsored by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktum. Is piloting drones a game? Certainly, but it is much more than that as well.
In order to participate in the World Drone Prix, a hundred participants had to pass a first series of tests in Berlin, Los Angeles, Seoul and several cities in China. They had to submit videos in which they appeared piloting the aircrafts according to some specific rules. The 32 finalists could compete in Dubai in a 7 km air circuit, specifically designed for the event, open to the public, and that could be followed live via HD streaming though the organization’s website. For the future, 360º degrees video is already being considered.
This is not the only competition organized by the International Drone Racing Association. In its 2016 calendar appear the US National Drone Racing Championships, in August in New York; the World Drone Racing Championships, in October in Hawaii; and the North America Cup all year long.
Similar competions have been announced in Chile and in France, organized by institutions who seek to create a link between users and their ability to modify drones, therefore trying to formalize this new technological sport.
A football stadium, an old abandoned factory, a parking lot… any of these locations is subject to become a breathtaking circuit of drone racing.
For the pilot, the common features are a viewer and a radio control that enable to guide the drone as you were riding it, with the goal of completing a circuit while you have to avoid all kind of obstacles, and of course, tackle the other drones.
But perhaps the greatest appeal of drone racing is on the audience’s side, as you can follow them in person or through Internet, thanks to a hectic realisation. And some times, through cameras placed on the same drones, which provide spectacular subjective views.
Airmageddon: the war of the drones
Another impressing option for the CBBC british viewers is the new show on Saturday morning: Airmageddon, a contest in which different teams operate their drones and, as gladiators, fight amongst themselves in several elimination rounds until the grand final that takes place in the specifically built Airena. All of it with the educational character inherent to the BBC.
Drone racing or drone combats, some people have seen similarities with the F1 world. Indeed, if you create a good fanbase, spectacular competitions and resources in marketing are invested, maybe we are witnessing the birth of sport events of the future.
Do you want to join in?