Drone Racing - Sport of the Future?
As technology becomes more and more a fundamental part of daily life, it is no surprise that it is beginning to intersect with both casual and competitive sports. In addition to more traditional tournaments, a new tech-sport hybrid has emerged in recent years; drone racing. Drone racing has much in common with all-virtual competitive gaming, requiring lightning fast reaction times and quick reflexes to carry competitors to victory. Where it differs from video game racing is in its intersection with robotics and reality, bringing those same principles into the real world.
Drone technology has made vast improvements over the last few decades, going from something that only large companies, the military, and hardcore enthusiasts could afford to miniature robots that are available for retail throughout the world. Modern drones are accessible to more people than ever before, with companies offering a vast array of features for ever-decreasing prices. As such, many drone racers view their sport as the natural progression for the world of civilian drones. According to racers like Paul Nurkkala, humans are competitive by nature, so it makes sense that as drone flying becomes more accessible, people will want to prove that they are the best.
The technology used by drone racers varies widely, but nearly all competitive environments share a few key similarities. Most racing drones are quadcopters, meaning they have four motors spaced at an equal distance from each other. These drones are similar in style to those you may have seen at the store, but have some important differences that set them apart. Many retail drones are designed for photography, and as such have a framework that looks like an “X” to get the most stability. Racing drones, however, often have an “H” shaped frame, with two front rotors and two back rotos (like a car!). This design allows most of the force to go into pushing the drone forward instead of up, creating higher speeds. Additionally, unlike helicopters, racing drones typically have three or four propeller blades. The compact design that this creates allows for a lighter overall drone, which is always desirable.
You may be wondering - what is piloting one of these drones actually like? The most popular type of drone racing is called first person view racing, or FPV. In FPV racing, a camera mounted on the front of the drone allows the racer to see the course from the drone’s perspective. Because racers are focused on what’s in front of them, they need to have very fast reflexes to avoid upcoming obstacles and other drones. Some competitions even allow racers to build their own drones from scratch instead of providing them with a set model, which lets racers use their creativity and technical knowledge to gain an edge over their competitors. Whether they are built at home or provided by competition officials, however, these drones are always wicked fast, with top speeds of over one hundred and eighty miles per hour!
While it is a relatively new sport, drone racing is quickly gaining traction throughout the world, with some racers even making the decision to go pro and live off of racing alone. No matter where it ends up, drone racing promises to be an exciting new field that robotics enthusiasts can explore and enjoy!
Photo Source: Wikipedia
