Drone swarms light up China’s night skies like fireworks of years gone by
Automated swarms, which communicate and coordinate with each other, have been featured in dozens of cities in the country that invented fireworks
Since China banned fireworks across more than 400 cities to reduce pollution, a new entertainment has emerged to fill the skies: drone swarms.
Shows featuring more than a thousand drones forming 3-D animated figures and other images are being booked for celebrations across the country.
Among those cashing in on the technology is EHang Inc., which has been contracted for several performances and in the process set a record for the number of airborne craft in a single display.
Swarms burst onto the global stage at the Winter Olympics in February, when Intel Corp. used more than 1,200 drones to fly as one in the shape of athletes.
Since PyeongChang, there has been debate on their use, including the controversial potential for military applications.
Ehang’s focus for now is on making money from civilians, with a May 1 live performance launched from the ancient city wall of Xi’an watched by more than 100,000 people and part of a deal that netted the company a 10.5 million yuan ($1.6 million) payday.
“We have other business sectors but the first one we have monetised is the drone swarm performances,” said Ehang co-founder Derrick Xiong, adding that the company is also developing passenger and delivery drones. “It’s a more environmentally friendly way of doing fireworks.”