Drone Pilots Racing for 1 Million in Dubai

Drone Racers competing for for 1 Million in Dubai

The world's biggest drone racing competition.

The inaugural World Drone Prix which will take place on March 11 and 12 in Dubai will feature 32 competitors who will try to navigate their aircraft through an obstacle as fast as possible.

Over 100 teams have been invited to compete in Dubai following a series of pre-qualifying events in Los Angeles Seoul Berlin and cities across China this year.
That tournament will take place March 7 and 8 and whittle the field down to the top 32 racers.

The 1 million will be divided across different categories including:
best track team
best lap time
freestyle team
and best constructor for these custom-built drones.

Fans will vote on a Best Team award winner.
This marks the first drone racing event in an annual calendar of global competitions organized by the World Organization of Racing Drones to promote the advancement of drone sport and drone technology.

Drone pilot Ryo Rex who founded the separate Aerial Grand Prix series of races in Los Angeles in 2014 and is working with World Drone Prix says this is peek into the future.
The outdoor physical track was custom built for drone racing to include obstacles and other challenges for the racers. Over the last two months the team has gathered the best engineers and partners from around the globe to create micro-race technology that has never been done before in any technical sport Rex says referring to the miniature drones that race at high speeds and in close proximity.

There are other drone competitions but nothing on this global scale. Rex says Drone Racing League is currently a web series open only to selected pilots who compete within a small group and it's not open for entries from the public.

World Drone Prix initiated its mission by opening the selection process to the entire world Rex says. World Drone Prix competitors were chosen based on videos they submitted of them piloting drones in a way that met certain guidelines. Pilots are allowed to use any kind of drone and components which Rex says opens up the league to the hundreds of drone manufacturers that want to gain publicity.

Drone Racers from around the world currently fly and compete in parks fields canyons parking garages inside office buildings warehouses and underground caverns and over oceans. The Organisers of the Grand Pix hope this event elevates the hobby to a professional grade sport.
A few have taken the leap towards a full-time drone pilot Rex says. Some have their own drone manufacturing companies some are fully sponsored by corporations. We hope this continues so more pilots can do this full-time. Rex also sees a role for virtual reality in the league's future.

The initial events will be livestreamed in high definition in 2D but 360-degree video is just around the corner. As digital 360-degree VR improves we will see the racing and competition formats expand to accommodate for the technical innovations Rex says. VR would make things a lot more realistic further transporting your consciousness into the seat of the drone. Many pilots use virtual reality headsets to steer their drones through racing events because it offers a better view of the action.

Drone Racers first race in Washington

Rugged Sky Media and Drone Racers have partnered to host Race X the Washington D.C. region's first first-person view drone race and show on Saturday April 2 from 2 11 p.m. There will be a team and solo competition at the event which will take place at Dulles SportsPlex located at 21610 Atlantic Blvd. Sterling. The companies hosting the event have invited local and national vendors to demo and sell hobby drones and supplies at the event. Registration for the event has started. Tickets can be purchased for 8 online and 10 at the door. Those who purchase their tickets online will have their name entered into a raffle to win a drone. For more information visit ruggedsky.comracex. See More at Drone Racers<

Is Professional Aerial Photography at an affordable price finally here with the help of the newest drones?

Is Professional Aerial Photography at an affordable price finally here with the help of the newest drones?

Most aerial cinematographers will be most interested in what's become of the onboard camera. The news is good, extremely good, especially for those who were thinking of forking out on the Inspire 1. Why? Because, to all intents and purposes, the Phantom 3's new camera is the same as that on the Inspire 1, only in a different shape. Both Phantom cameras now feature Sony's 1/2.3" 12mp EXMOR sensor and the same non-fisheyed 94˚ field of view as fitted to the Inspire 1.

Better still, like the Inspire 1, the Pro model is capable of shooting 4K footage at up to 30fps (the Advanced model's highest res is 1080p at up to 60fps). This is groundbreaking stuff for aerial imaging buffs that could perhaps even damage sales of the Inspire 1. After all, the price difference between the Phantom 3 Pro and the Inspire 1 is a whopping £1,220.

However, if you're thinking of changing your mind about an Inspire 1 and downgrading your thoughts to a new Phantom 3, first bear in mind the differences between the two. In terms of wind stability, the Inspire wins hands down; it's a superbly solid flyer. Also, the Inspire 1's camera gimbal can be swivelled independently of the craft's orientation (a full 360˚ in fact) and even operated using a second hand controller.

The Phantom 3, on the other hand, is fitted with a 3-axis gimbal that can only be swivelled 90˚ to 30˚; this means the craft would need to be orientated in the direction of the subject being shot. Also, the Phantom 3's legs cannot be raised. Finally, there's crashworthiness to consider. In this respect the Phantom's definitely the one to go for. This tried and tested bird is tough as nails (gimbal notwithstanding), cheaper to fix in the event of a mishap and, with that new camera on board, just as well equipped to take stunning hi-res aerials. These are, also, considerably more affordable.

Like Extreme Sports? This Drone’s for You

Like Extreme Sports? This Drone’s for You

If you’re into extreme sports, be it anything from motocross and BMX racing to skateboarding and wakeboarding, you’ve always imagined hanging up a poster-size photo on the wall capturing sick footage of your adventures.
But unless you’re Tony Hawk, you couldn’t afford to hire an entire camera crew and a helicopter to shoot the amazing aerial footage you’ve dreamed of.

Until now. Aerial drones are putting those insane aerial still shots and videos within reach for action sport lovers everywhere. And while there are a number of drone models you may be considering

reasonable price and GoPro compatibility have all made the IRIS+ a popular choice for drone pilots. But there is one feature that makes the IRIS+ the must have drone for anyone involved in high adventure action sports and recreation: Follow Me technology.

More Info On This Drone Follow Me technology provides you with the ability to turn your IRIS+ drone into a hands free, aerial camera crew. Follow Me tethers the drone to a GPS-enabled Android device such as a phone or smart watch. Once tethered, the IRIS+ can track your movements from a number of flight modes, including the ability to follow you, lead you, orbit you, fly directly above you, or fly on either side of you. The potential shots are endless. Soon you’ll be making videos that even make Shaun White jealous.

More Info on this Drone