How Drones Are Set For Action

What happens during a drone show?

There are several key aspects that concern most spectators and fans of drone displays. By addressing these, we can attempt to paint a comprehensive picture of a drone show performance while delving into certain technical details.

How are drones synchronized during a show?

While it's possible to take control manually, the drone performances are pre-programmed and unfold on their own. So before the show, every drone receives its flight plan or mission, which it follows from takeoff to landing.

Once the UAVs take off into the sky, they navigate thanks to a built-in satellite positioning system. It prevents them from colliding in the sky. However, relying on just one GPS/GNSS/GLONASS/Beidou satellite system isn't enough. These systems can have inaccuracies, and for drone choreography, utmost precision is needed.

Here's where the ground station comes into play. It continuously corrects the data in real-time, ensuring that the drones stay on their mission without deviating. This technology is called RTK (real-time kinematic).

Are the rules the same for indoor drone shows?

And at this point, someone among you might be wondering, what if we were to conduct a drone show indoors? Perhaps it would be simpler, and we wouldn't even need a ground station?

Well, the immersion would be incredible, but so would navigation errors. In such cases, developers get creative, using radio signals, ultrasound, lasers, optical tracking, or infrared beacons with external cameras to help the swarm. However, it's important to understand that not every indoor space is suitable for a drone show; copters require room to maneuver.

At what distance can you see a drone show?

By the way, outdoor drone displays even have an advantage in terms of perspective (you know how it is with paintings—up close, individual strokes, but from afar, you see the beauty). Plus, the bright LEDs allow the performance to be seen from a considerable distance. However, this distance can vary.

For instance, if your drone light show is quite personal, happening at a lower height, it's like having a cozy one-on-one moment with the illuminated formations. On the flip side, a regular drone show can be spotted from a distance of approximately 5 kilometers (that's around 3 miles).

Of course, how well you see also depends on your own eyesight. Naturally, being somewhere around the action is way better than squinting from a few kilometers away.

How long does a drone show last?

As for the duration of a drone show, it varies based on the available drones and their capabilities. Some UAVs can only fly for around 8 minutes, while others can stay airborne for an impressive 24 minutes. Longer shows, however, rarely hold the audience's attention.

But keep in mind that the duration of the show includes both flight and landing times. So, if a drone can stay up for only 8 minutes, the actual performance time is quite short. Moreover, sometimes the drone light art acts as background entertainment, and in such cases, longer is better.

The stages of getting ready for a drone light show

Let's take a sneak peek behind the technical curtain of a drone light show preparation. We'll unveil the magic of animation creation and uncover the secrets of how drones journey between countries (we'd make a joke about migratory drone-birds, but you've already got the scoop on their flight durations—no fooling you there!). It's time to delve into the step-by-step process.

Concept development

At times, the mesmerizing journey of a drone light show ignites from a spark of imagination, fanned by creative visionaries who breathe life into it. In other cases, clients step forward with fully-formed concepts, eagerly anticipating their ideas transformed into a stunning illuminated spectacle. Some are captivated by a striking render in your portfolio, urging for something similar. Others aim to stir specific emotions in their audiences, even without a precise vision. Occasionally, they provide only a logo, entrusting you to spin a compelling story around it. And then, there are moments when you dive deep, seeking inspiration, crafting a presentation from the ground up, and passionately pitching it to the client.

By the way, speaking of logos, Cyberdrone indeed had such cases. And from that initial spark, we managed to ignite a creative flame, shaping numerous figures that highlight the brand's best aspects.

Regardless of the starting point, the ultimate goal remains the same—to unify the drone show company and its clients under a shared vision, beautifully translating it into an unforgettable airborne spectacle.

Location & regulations

The next step involves choosing the location for the drone show. However, bringing a show to life is more than just selecting a spot—the rules for flying drones can vary quite a bit depending on where you are.

Let's be honest, this can often be the most challenging phase—the client's desired location must sync with the drone team's technical capabilities, all while adhering to the strict regulations set forth by the authorities.

So, what makes for the ideal takeoff location for a team preparing a drone show? Firstly, it needs to be spacious. While it might not be too challenging to arrange a hundred drones on a surface, for a thousand or more, you'll require a lot more space. Additionally, the surface should be level to ensure that the drones stand as evenly as possible. Sometimes, the stars align, and the takeoff area is right under the performance zone, while other times, it's quite a distance away, requiring the drones to fly to the audience after takeoff before their performance begins.

So, at this stage, it's important to equip oneself with patience, diplomatic finesse, and a sprinkle of luck.

Programming part

Once the sky is claimed, the programming enchantment begins as the visual design blossoms into vibrant 3D reality, coupled with the detailed flight paths for each UAV. Within this stage, the true magic unfolds—the artistry of designing breathtaking transitions that weave together the shapes and patterns performed by the synchronized drones. And it's the 3D animators who bring this all to life.

Using software like Houdini, Blender, or Cinema 4D, the 3D animation team develops a program that takes into consideration spatial coordinates, time, and defines the colors that the LEDs will illuminate at different moments. Each drone will be loaded with its own flight mission, encompassing its trajectory and color changes. It's incredibly crucial for this mission to be precisely calibrated because in the sky, the drones are on their own, and only well-defined programming work along with ground station adjustments can guide their movement as intended, free from collisions.

Another challenge of this stage lies in ensuring that the drone lights transition smoothly, without fading all at once, gracefully turning from one luminous formation to another using a third... well, let's just say it requires a delicate fusion of artistic mastery and technical wizardry to achieve such seamless beauty in motion. Take Cyberdrone, for example; our performances shine precisely because of that captivating and effortless shifts between formations.

Logistics

Whether the show unfolds in a nearby neighborhood or on the distant fringes of the Milky Way, one element remains unchanged—the robotic performers need to arrive at the location safely and on time. This requires a thoughtful logistics plan that treats the drones and all related equipment as precious cargo, ensuring that they aren't damaged during transportation.

And let's not overlook the team that will follow these airborne marvels—because even though the drones possess autonomous prowess, they still rely on the steadfast support from their earthly buddies.

Setting & deploying

After overcoming transportation hurdles and arriving at the drone light show venue with their fleet of drones and equipment, it's time for the team to prepare the surroundings.

Setting the stage involves carefully placing the ground station and arranging the drones themselves—an intricate skill on its own. The case is, each drone boasts its own unique sequential number and pre-programmed flight path, requiring precise positioning on the ground to avoid any skyward chaos.

While sped-up videos may give the impression that these preparations occur in a mere half-hour, we're here to unveil the truth—setup can stretch from morning till night, as every detail is intricately fine-tuned to ensure a flawless illuminated performance that will astonish.

Testing

No show can take flight without a round of test runs. While simulations are valuable, reality tells its own tale.

In some cases, teams even conduct a full dress rehearsal a day or two prior to the grand event. And each time, right before the show, a battery of tests awaits, scrutinizing every technical nuance of each aerial performer. Should any of them falter, even in the slightest, swift replacements are made until every drone is deemed one hundred percent show-ready.

Showtime

Wow, there are so many stages to go through before reaching the actual drone light show! But once the drones take flight, the spectacular display begins and lasts for a set period based on the capabilities of the drones themselves. Yeah, some UAV are those capable of lingering in the heavens far longer than others.

The location of the show also plays a vital role in shaping the overall impression. Sometimes the drone swarms grace the midst of towering skyscrapers, interacting with the surrounding environment and conjuring the effect of augmented reality. Other times, the spectacle unfolds over water, incorporating the reflections into the performance. And on certain occasions, the drone lights become a part of a bigger show. In any case, it’s impossible to walk by and not be captivated.

Filming

During the show, spectators often capture the amazing moments on their cameras. We'd like to say that it's not necessary, as the show's organizers and the drone show team itself always document the events and make sure to share photos and videos on social media. Moreover, filming takes place not only on the ground but also in the sky with the help of drones (yes, while some perform, others work as aerial videographers).

This way, the viewers can relax and simply enjoy the moment, living it fully in the present, creating a breathtaking memory with their eyes and minds.

Post-show

As the drones land, the team begins the process of packing up their equipment and heading home. Ah, the enchantment of logistics and transportation, once again gracing the stage. Occasionally, there are losses to be lamented, as accidents can happen. Amidst the spectacle, a rogue copter or two may decide to go their own way, escaping the watchful gaze of the pilots and descending to the ground or (in unfortunate cases) crashing into the water. Often, these fallen UAV stars go unnoticed by the audiences, and the light formations remain unscathed. Yet, the team’s hearts will definitely bear the weight of the loss.

Viral content

Once safely back at home, the ingenious content team and dedicated production crew work their magic, transforming the trove of captured footage into spellbinding videos, mesmerizing social media posts, and vivid photographs.

Occasionally, there may be rare instances where these masterpieces remain hidden, known only to the client's eyes. Yet, more often than not, people seek out drone shows precisely to ignite a firestorm of publicity and enthrall an eager audience. Thus, in a staggering 99% of cases, the fruits of drone show collaborative endeavors illuminate the digital realm.

That wraps it up for now. We hope it was an enjoyable read. Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we’ll explore the creative process behind drone shows, break down the pricing, and dive into much more.

Have a colorful month,

Your Cyberdrone.