Drone Racing Wants to Be the Formula One of the Sky
If it can move forward, chances are somebody will race it. Cars, boats, motorcycles, and horses are just a few of the more common things. Heck, we've seen people race in bathtubs. And now it's drones.
A company called Drone Racing League is working hard to get drone racing off the ground (pardon the pun) and into the public eye. It brings together talented drone pilots and sets up courses in challenging locations for one hell of a crazy airborne spectacle.
After a preseason race in July last year, the first race of 2016 will take place at the Miami Dolphins football stadium in Florida on February 15. After that, the second race will be held in Los Angeles. In total, there will be five races in 2016, with a world championship ending the season. Pilots who finish the season with the most points can compete for the title of World's Best Drone Pilot.
In a video uploaded by Quartz, we get a first-person view of a drone zooming around an empty Miami Dolphins Stadium at over 70 mph. According to Quartz, DRL hopes to one day become the Formula 1 and MotoGP of drone racing, and has already secured funding from the owner of the Miami Dolphins and the lead singer of Muse.
DRL says that all of its drones are built in-house by its engineers and enthusiasts. The drones use a first-person point of view, which optimizes the watching experience for both the pilots and the spectators. They are also extremely nimble, as they are designed to navigate complex courses and around obstacles. Though still in its fledgling stages, DRL hopes to one day fill stadiums with fans and spectators to enjoy drone racing.
