Intel is quite fond of showing off its technology and this time, it even set a new Guinness World Record in the process. The Silicon Valley technology giant has been involved in a race with the fellow global competitor, Qualcomm over the development of technology that allows drones to be operated indoors.

100 Drones at Once

During the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Intel showcased its new technology which allows it to operate multiple drones indoors from one central computer. This was an improvement on their 2016 Shooting Star project which they unveiled at the Super Bowl during Lady Gaga’s performance.

In preparation for the keynote speech which was to be given by the Intel CEO, 100 drones were released, accompanied by Kygo’s “Stargazing” soundtrack. The 100 drones, known as the Shooting Star mini-drones, set the world record for the most simultaneously airborne drones operated from a single computer. The guests were treated to one of the most amazing indoor drone shows to be staged this far, making it one of the most memorable points of the CES.

The Indoors Dilemma

For outdoor drones, a GPS system is necessary for navigation and flight. A drone operator uses the GPS system to map the flight path of the drone. However, in an indoor setup, a GPS system does not function as well. Intel overcame this by designing a new location detection system which was more effective for indoor location sensing.

The issue of safety for those inside the room was also a concern, one that was solved by designing the Shooting Star mini-drones to be very small and lightweight. This ensured that even in the event that they fell on people or property, they were unlikely to cause any serious damage.

Drone Light Shows Becoming Popular

Drones light shows have increased in popularity over recent months, with the biggest companies trying to outdo each other and claim the throne. Intel has been one of the most prominent companies in this space. It currently holds the world record for the most drones flown at once which it set in Hamburg, Germany by flying 500 Shooting Star drones at once. The Super Bowl drone light show was another display of their drones technology.  While still a new concept, drone light shows are being used by movie studios regularly now and may just replace fireworks as the new way to light up the sky.

Application of Indoor Drones

While the display was very beautiful, the application of indoor drones is a growing industry that many businesses may soon adopt. One potential market for indoor drones is factories and warehouses. These indoor drones can be used to monitor workers, track inventory and much more.

Intel’s main competitor, Qualcomm has been working on drone technology that can be used during search and rescue missions such as searching for survivors of building collapses. They also have been working on indoor drones to do inspections.

The cutting-edge technology behind the Shooting Star mini-drones will however not be available to Intel users. This is because they are not yet available for sale. But the research and development is still ongoing and we can expect new improvements on indoor drone technology to grow at a rapid rate.

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