Drone Olympics to debut at Aero-India 2019

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are all set to make a big splash at the Aero-India 2019 with a unique 'Drone Olympics' on February 21. The initial build-up rounds will be at the Jakkur Flying Club while the finals will be at the Yelahanka Air Force Station.

On the Olympics, agenda is a 'Surveillance Competition' that judges participants under two broad categories: Fixed VTOL (Multirotor) and hybrid designs. The weight classes are 4-7 kilograms for Multirotor and 4-20 kgs for hybrid designs.

The candidates will be evaluated on Flight Time (40% Weightage), Live Transmission Range in Full HD/1080p resolution in “Free band” S & C (40% Weightage) and Detection of Human sized targets (20% Weightage).

UAV Formation Flying Challenge is another competition lined up for the Olympics. The competitors, with 12 UAVs, will have to demonstrate Minus, Formation, Three Spokes, Division Sign, Plus and Multiplication signs.

The contest will only get tougher as they would be asked to do shapes of a triangle, square, letter 'I', 'O' shape with 12 UAVs. The rules demand that they demonstrate the shape for at least 30 seconds in static mode.

Here's the 'official' rationale behind the Drone Olympics: “UAV market is one of the fastest growing market today. Starting from expensive military UAVs or small consumer toys, UAVs are now venturing into commercial space, be it basic surveillance, photography, site inspections, monitoring crops, collecting geographical data, delivery services. Avenues are limitless.”