World Drone Prix to Invade Dubai Skies

By Staff Writer

Mar 03, 2016 07:33 AM EST

On March 11 and 12, the largest drone racing event will be unleashed and Dubai will host the exciting World Drone Prix. Drone racing teams all around the world will compete with each other and vie for the whopping $1 million prize that will be distributed accordingly.

Since Dubai is known as being extravagant, the prize at stake is worth $1 million.  First prize for the winning team amounts to $250,000.  The dates for qualifiers are March 7-8, while the main event happens on March 11-12.

"We are extremely proud and thrilled to have all the international and local competitors race in Dubai, and are looking forward to introducing the public to a new sport that is open to participants of all ages, genders and abilities." said Omar Sultan Al Olama, General Secretary, W.O.R.D.

Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai authorized the wish of the World Organization of Racing Drones to accommodate the much-awaited event in his city. He helps in the promotion of the event by posting video from his Instagram where a McLaren races a drone around Dubai, as reported by Inverse.

The World Drone Prix event will record the first drone racing affair in a yearly calendar of global drone racing contests organized by World Organization of Racing Drones to upgrade the progress of drone technology, most especially drone sport.  It would be the first official regulatory authority for drone racing sport, where drone racers, fans and drone-manufacturers around the globe convene.  It will be the first sport that will indeed unite technology advancement and with human capability.

Hundred teams will compete for two days, March 7-8 to qualify where 32 teams will be selected and advance to the final round to be held on March 11-12. The said event is sponsored by X Dubai, RTA, Skydive Dubai and Dubai Calendar.  There will be 19 categories including Best Free-style Team, Best Track Team, Best Constructor and Best Lap Time. There will also be an award for the Best Team based on the crowd's votes, according to Paddock Talk.

According to Bublbe.com, speed ​drones with a speed of 62 mph are remotely controlled by operators that use virtual reality-like headsets. The video will then be transmitted in real-time with a camera attached on the quadcopter's nose.  

The United Arab Emirates before have shown global leadership for drone technology advancement with the launching of Drones for Good Award in 2015. Its purpose is to find the most advanced and imaginative ways that drone technology can assist positive humanitarian drive.  

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