drones - Softonic English

The phenomenon of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan Cortina 2026 is not the athletes, it is the drones

FPV drones (First Person View) have arrived in sports broadcasting with an impressive impact, being able to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h and offering innovative visual perspectives in disciplines such as alpine skiing and cycling. Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), responsible for the television signal of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, began using this technology at the Beijing 2022 Games, and its use has notably expanded for the upcoming Paris 2024 and Milano-Cortina 2026 Games. For Milano-Cortina, OBS has designed drones specifically for the broadcasting of sporting events, lightweight devices weighing 243 grams […]

FPV drones (First Person View) have arrived in sports broadcasts with an impressive impact, capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h and offering innovative visual perspectives in disciplines such as alpine skiing and cycling.

Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), responsible for the television signal of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, began using this technology at the Beijing 2022 Games, and its use has notably expanded for the upcoming Paris 2024 and Milano-Cortina 2026 Games.

For Milano-Cortina, OBS has designed drones specifically for the transmission of sporting events, lightweight devices weighing 243 grams that incorporate advanced COFDM transmission technology, allowing for high-definition video.

Así funciona el manejo de los drones en #MilanoCortina2026. pic.twitter.com/qvD9CVGU2Z
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) February 10, 2026

A technology that has revolutionized the way sports events are broadcast

In total, 25 drones have been deployed, operated by specialized teams that work in perfect synchronization to ensure accuracy in the flights. This development marks the first time that drones will be used en masse in the Winter Games, allowing spectators to follow athletes through fast and complex descents.

The arrival of FPV drones has transformed the way sports are presented to the public. Previously, coverage relied on quick cuts between fixed cameras; now, drones allow for smooth and continuous tracking of athletes, ushering in a new era of immersion and appreciation for the sport.

High speed FPV drones got the winter olympics looking like a real life video game.

Really makes you appreciate whoever wrote the rendering stack for reality. pic.twitter.com/JIUhBD9Tfq
— Bilawal Sidhu (@bilawalsidhu) February 10, 2026

Viewers can experience the rapid speeds achieved by the competitors, opening up a range of visual possibilities that seem straight out of a video game.

Despite these advancements, drone technology still faces challenges, especially regarding safety. An incident in 2015 raised concerns about their use in sporting events, although new lightweight models have been designed to mitigate risks. However, recent reports suggest that there is still room for improvement in technological safety issues.

The largest game of Tetris in history has been held and it only took 2,800 drones

On a spectacular night, the Dubai Frame became the stage for the largest game of Tetris ever played, using an impressive display of 2,800 drones that lit up the sky and revolutionized the experience of the iconic game. The final of the Red Bull Tetris World not only highlighted the popularity of eSports but also showcased the potential for innovation within the realm of video games. A game of gigantic dimensions The event, which took place in this iconic 150-meter-high structure, allowed competitors to immerse themselves in a large-scale arcade game. Each player controlled 1,400 […]

A match of gigantic dimensions

The event, which took place in this iconic 150-meter tall structure, allowed competitors to immerse themselves in a large-scale recreation. Each player operated 1,400 synchronized drones that projected the game pieces in real time, creating an unprecedented visual experience. The competition, which attracted more than 7 million participants in the global qualifying rounds, culminated in an exciting 10-minute final between Fehmi Atalar from Turkey and Leo Solórzano from Peru.

Fehmi was crowned champion after accumulating 168,566 points in just five minutes with a controller placed strategically to maximize his gameplay time. In contrast, his rival scored 57,164 points, which puts into perspective Atalar’s extraordinary performance. This game format, called “phone to drone,” reflected the evolution of the classic game Tetris, which has entertained generations since its release 35 years ago.

Through an event that combined advanced technology, the charm of classic games, and a festive atmosphere, the final became a memorable celebration. With music, guests, and the grandeur of the Dubai Frame as a backdrop, it was demonstrated that, despite the consolidation of eSports, there is still room for innovation and creativity within the universe of video games.

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Central Park witnesses stunning drone light spectacle

Last Saturday, on October 21st, the renowned Dutch studio, DRIFT, unveiled a striking light art performance in New York City’s iconic Central Park, sending a swarm of a thousand drones into the sky. This masterful installation, aptly named “Franchise Freedom,” enveloped the park in a magical dance of lights, creating a kinetic aerial sculpture that bore a striking resemblance to a muted but captivating fireworks show.

The creative minds behind this artistic venture, Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta, drew their inspiration from the enchanting dance of bird murmurations. These breathtaking natural displays feature immense flocks of starlings moving with incredible synchronization, swirling and diving across the vast expanse of the sky, creating patterns that mesmerize and captivate those lucky enough to witness them.

Some X (former Twitter) users like BigImpactHumans have shared videos from the event:

Drone show in Central Park, NYC pic.twitter.com/FzoUGuEivn
— LilHumansBigImpact (@BigImpactHumans) October 22, 2023

Franchise Freedom was a gift to the public, and enthusiasts and onlookers alike flocked to Central Park to experience this visual treat. The drones lit up the evening sky during three distinct ten-minute performances, offering the gathered crowd moments of wonder and reflection.

DRIFT’s ode to the modern world

The brainchild of DRIFT, this awe-inspiring aerial performance was brought to life with support from Therme US. The company’s president, Robert Hammond, who also co-founded the High Line, envisioned this installation as an opportunity for New Yorkers to rekindle their bond with nature amidst the urban jungle. This vision echoes the aspirations of Frederick Law Olmsted, the mastermind behind Central Park’s planning in the 19th century.

Olmsted dreamt of creating an oasis where city residents, regardless of their social standing, could immerse themselves in the beauty of trees and woods. Today, DRIFT offers a fresh interpretation of this age-old connection between man and nature. Instead of merely echoing ancient woodlands, they’ve crafted a contemporary, futuristic representation that’s carefully orchestrated to resonate with modern sensibilities.

In terms of scale and impact, Franchise Freedom stands out as the most significant public art endeavor in Central Park since the unveiling of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s legendary installation, The Gates.

Here are Uber’s plans for flying taxis

Ready for flying taxis? They could be here sooner than you think.

“Hey man, it’s Dave. Your Uber’s on the roof.”

Prepare yourself for flying Ubers in the near future. Texas-based company Bell has revealed their design for the Bell Nexus, a helicopter/drone hybrid that could be summoned via Uber. If you’ve ever played Fallout, they’re basically Vertibirds.

After spending decades developing military aircraft like the V22 Osprey, Bell rebranded itself as a more modern tech company last year. The V22 and Bell Nexus are both vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL). Moving forward, Bell is switching towards electric-powered vehicles, with the Bell Nexus as the first experiment.

The Bell Nexus itself is not completely electric. It’s a hybrid, as Bell wanted to give additional power to the aircraft, allowing it to carry more weight and have a wider flight range.

The Bell Nexus uses six ducted fans to take off and land. Each fan can tilt independently, giving the aircraft precise mobility. The Bell Nexus’s cabin and ducts are designed so that passengers will not be able to see the fans while looking out the window, helping to convince them they won’t be shredded by the rotors.

Thankfully, the Bell Nexus will have a pilot to reassure passengers that they won’t plummet to earth, but Uber has stated that they hope all of their air taxis will be autonomous in the future. The aircraft can hold 272kg (600lbs), and Bell Nexus is open to repurposing the aircraft as a military vehicle in case the whole flying car craze never gets off the ground.

Bell is far from the only company developing air taxis, though their partnership with Uber gives them a crucial advantage. They’ll face off against startups like Kitty Hawk (lead by Google founder Larry Page) as well as industry giants like Boeing. Though the competition is heated, some experts worry about the viability of the flying taxi industry ever taking off. Infrastructure and regulations surrounding flying cars simply do not exist, and they won’t exist without the flying car industry becoming viable in the first place, creating a self-defeating prophecy.

Personally, I would love to see flying taxis take off, mostly for UberEats. How amazing would it be to summon a Big Mac through your own personal helicopter?