The Drone Racing League (DRL), the world’s premier, professional drone racing property, and Draganfly Inc., an award-winning drone solutions and systems developer, announced a multi-year partnership. The companies will launch DRL Labs, an innovation hub, to research and develop next generation drone technology that will advance the sport of drone racing and other industries undergoing significant transformations through drones, including humanitarian aid and mobility.
As one of the longest-running drone companies in the world, Draganfly brings its legacy of drone innovation to the cutting-edge sport of high-speed drone racing. Through DRL Labs, Draganfly and DRL engineers will work to develop new technical solutions within autonomy, next generation sensors and artificial intelligence, with an aim to contribute discoveries to disaster relief, transportation and delivery spaces.
Globally broadcasted DRL races will provide real-time testing grounds for DRL Lab innovations, reaching DRL’s millions of technology-obsessed, tech-setter fans — 60% of whom claim that brands that partner with DRL invest in innovation. The league will also incorporate Draganfly’s Vital Intelligence platform into their 2021-22 DRL World Championship Season. Draganfly’s groundbreaking AI Vital Intelligence platform can utilize any camera to monitor pilots’ in-race heart and respiratory-rates. Driving new health insights around flying drones and bringing fans closer to the DRL action than ever, the breakthrough diagnostics system will analyze pilots’ physiological reactions to competition, fast speeds, crashes and more. DRL will also release a “Why I Fly” Series Presented by Draganfly, spotlighting pilots’ personal journeys into drone flying during the 2021-22 Season.
“Draganfly has been driving the future of drones since the pre-drone era and the Drone Racing League is constantly driving the future of sports. We’re excited to partner with DRL to develop new drone technology that will disrupt drone racing competition and the fan experience — while leveraging our tech discoveries for the good of humanity,”
said Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell.
“The Drone Racing League is built on innovation and the commitment to showcase best-in-class technology to our millions of fans. We’re thrilled to partner with Draganfly, who will bring their leadership in drone hardware, software and logistics to our global racing circuit. With the launch of DRL Labs, together we will introduce novel drone technology that will not only redefine our sport, but also provide real world use cases to support communities around the world,”
said DRL SVP, Head of Partnership Development, Ari Mark.
Draganfly will be integrated into the 2021-22 DRL World Championship Season starting next Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 8pm EST on NBCSN and Twitter. The partnership cuts across both esports and real-drone racing through iconic sports arenas and DRL SIM virtual maps as pilots compete to be crowned the World Champion. Find the full DRL race schedule here.
Source: Press Release