Star Wars gave viewers a preview of some of the best technological advancements on the developmental horizon. From Luke Skywalker’s bionic hand (which is now a reality thanks to the I-Limb) to his intelligent binoculars (DARPA nailed it). Following suit, drones have transitioned from being strictly associated with war (or Wars) to nearly becoming a household name. Though there are a variety of casual applications for these airborne devices, it’s no surprise that some of the best, non-combat drone utilization techniques are found in sports.
College football coaches wasted little time implementing this technological mini-wonder into their practices. Teams like UCLA, Tennessee, and Oregon have all received ample amounts of attention for utilizing drones to film players from angles previously unattainable. The footage was then analyzed to show discrepancies in both offensive and defensive plays that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Their short battery life makes them an unlikely replacement for cable-suspended cameras anytime soon; however, their thrifty price tags ($500-$1000) make drones a financially accessible option for teams with tight budgets.
A less studious application of the hovering crafts was adopted by the Washington Nationals, who used a drone to take pictures of the team for promotional purposes. Being airborne and ultra-maneuverable allowed the Nationals to take shots from unique, eye-catching angles. From a marketing standpoint, this was a brilliant move, which in the end, would have ultimately allowed the fans to see their team from a new perspective. This endeavor was (unfortunately) short lived, as the Federal Aviation Administration reportedly took issue with the National’s failure to ask for permission to fly the aircraft.
In what could arguably be considered one of the best practical uses of drones in sports, The U.S. Polo Association umpires have taken to studying footage in order to improve their on-field abilities. Keeping an eye on players across a ten acre spread is no easy feat, and studying aerial footage helps the officials keep their skills on point. Drones also allow the umpires to review tough calls, a luxury often taken for granted in sports like football. PoloLine TV plans on capitalizing on the drone’s video abilities in order to enhance viewer experience by highlighting the players’ skills.
As the use of drones gains momentum, so, too, does the legislation attached to properly using them. Some states have issued laws against using drones in sports like hunting and fishing, and many national parks have outlawed the use of the aircraft for several reasons. Outdoor sports are a goldmine for drone footage (as seen in the 2014 Winter Olympics), and will undoubtedly be one of the areas where the unmanned aircraft are most heavily utilized in the future. Films of snowboarders, runners, and climbers are difficult (and occasionally risky) to get, even for the most skilled professionals. Using a Hexo+ Drone instead of helicopters, for example, would cut costs and eliminate some areas of potential risk.
If the FAA could reach an agreement with teams like the Nationals, using drones as a marketing tool would be a win. In addition to the team footage, the drones could potentially interact with the audience (taking pictures, filming reactions, etc.). These images could then been tweeted or posted on the team’s fan page (with the necessary permission, of course). Finding a way to leverage drones and social media would be a wise endeavor. This coupling would bring another level of experience to fans and TV viewers, and help forge new connections with the younger generations.
Drones could also be used as a fresh source of entertainment and refreshment, like this barbecue-bearing one in Idaho. Amazon and Google both want permission to use drones to deliver packages, so why couldn’t a sports team employ a similar method to deliver food orders to hungry fans, or hand out free t-shirts? Again, this (inexpensive) investment would help keep patrons interested in attending games, while continuing to generate income for the franchise as a whole.
Another potential future application of these aircrafts could be as a mini personal trainer. If the devices were programmable, they could (for example) help open-water swimmers keep a certain pace, or alert a BMX rider when they are approaching a ramp at an undesirable angle. This type of real-life, instant feedback would improve performance, increase training effectiveness, and potentially eliminate some disastrous outcomes (re: the BMX ramp example).
While there are still plenty of kinks (i.e. legalities) to work out regarding the drone’s implementation into everyday life, these unmanned aircrafts have already begun making an impact in the sports world.
Keep your eyes on the sky; there’s undoubtedly some wicked technological breakthroughs on the horizon.
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Kimber is welcoming fall with open arms and a tasteful sweater-vest. When she’s not watching football, you can find her writing about her love of sports and her newfound addiction to conference call Bingo.