Live From PyeongChang: 1,218 Intel Drones Shine at Opening Ceremony, Set Record
Custom animations are also highlighting nightly medal ceremonies
The 2018 Olympics are barely under way, and one world record has already been set: 1,218 Intel Shooting Star drones were used during the Opening Ceremony, earning a Guinness World Records title for the “most unmanned aerial vehicles airborne simultaneously.” The flight was prerecorded for the event.
Intel set a world record with the use of 1,218 drones during the PyeongChang Opening Ceremony.
Kicking off the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, the Opening Ceremony treated viewers from around the globe to a light show that surpassed Intel’s previous record of 500 drones flown simultaneously in Germany in 2016. Intel designed and developed custom animations for the Opening Ceremony and nightly medal-ceremony performances, which include animations of different sports and various Olympics-related logos, including the iconic Olympic rings.
“The Olympics are a time when the sports and entertainment industries are buzzing with record-setting performances,” notes Natalie Cheung, GM, drone light show team, Intel, “so it was the perfect stage for Intel Shooting Star drones and our team to set their own kind of record.”
The drones weigh only 33o grams and have a rotor diameter of 6 in. Built-in LED lights allow 4 billion color combinations.
“It’s been exciting for us to partner with Intel on the Winter Olympics, as they continue to push the limits with their advanced drone light-show technologies,” says Sam Prosser, commercial director, EMEA APAC, Guinness World Records. “From flying 100 drones simultaneously in 2015 to 500 drones in 2016 and now more than 1,000 drones, the sky is the limit with entertaining through Intel drone light shows.”
Following the Opening Ceremony, Intel ran a 30-second ad spot featuring the power of Intel Shooting Star drones and their entertainment possibilities.
As a member of The Olympic Partner (TOP) worldwide sponsorship program, Intel is helping to transform the fan experience by creating immersive opportunities for viewers to be a part of the Olympic Games.
The Intel Shooting Star drones are a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specifically designed for entertainment purposes, equipped with LED lights that can create countless color combinations and be easily programmed for any animation. The fleet of drones is controlled by one pilot.
“We are honored to have Intel drones playing several roles at the Olympic Games,” said Anil Nanduri, VP/GM, Intel Drone Group. “Not unlike the athletes competing in the events, we continue to push to innovate and develop the drone technologies that inspire people all over the world.”
For more of our coverage from the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, including interviews, videos, podcasts, and more, visit our SportsTech Live Blog.