Intel, in collaboration with Austria’s Ars Electronica Center, has set a new world record that pertains to the most drones being airborne simultaneously. The feat sported 100 UAVs taking flight in a pre-programmed manner and allowing the onlookers to enjoy an amazing light show that has been synchronized to the Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
The Ars Electronica Futurelab is a center that is known for researching new kinds of cyber-art. It began working in 2012 to have large groups of quadcopters to fly together in formation. The team had its first success in September 2012, when it lit the sky up using 50 LED-equipped drones over the Danube River. A number of aerial art-works followed in various locations around the world from Australia to Sweden. Eventually, Intel came knocking in 2014 with the idea of Drone 100.
The Drone 100 was the idea of Intel and it entailed lighting the night sky up using a record-setting squadron of quadcopter in a flight that was synchronized. This feat was achieved on 4th November, 2015 with a crew of 15 persons and a 100 drones that were launched over Ahrenlohe Airfield near Hamburg, Germany. These drones featured LEDs affixed to their bodies and weighed in at 700 grams each. The fleet performed a choreographed routine that lasted for over seven minutes and eventually formed a 250 meter wide Intel Logo for the grand finale.
A judge from Guinness World Records was present on the site to carry out verification of the record. The video of this event was also shown at CES 2016 during the Intel CEO Brian Krzani’s keynote on the opening day. Apart from demonstrating an amazing light show, the feat will also prove significant in pushing the drone technology forward towards utilization of autonomous drone groups carrying out tasks.
Horst Hörtner, Director of the Ars Electronica Futurelab said, “Together with Intel, we’ve opened a door, but what lies beyond it is something we can make out only vaguely today.”
