This record-breaking drone show was controlled by a single laptop

Just weeks after Shenzhen set a world record for the most drones in a drone show, the Chinese city has broken the record again.

In early September, the show used 7,598 drones to light up the night sky, dazzling crowds with an array of images and animations, breaking the old record by several thousand.

Then, just a few days ago, another display over Shenzhen Bay Park used a total of 10,197 people, setting two Guinness World Records – one for the most multi-rotor/drones in the air simultaneously from a single computer (outdoors), and the other for the most aerial photo created by multi-rotor aircraft/drones.

Footage (below) shared on social media shows some of the amazing images created by the drones, whose movements are controlled by software on a laptop on the ground.

The latest drone display was part of celebrations ahead of China’s National Day on October 1.

Another view pic.twitter.com/4n2IEnH92O

— Game X (@froggyups) September 28, 2024

Advances in drone technology and the software that controls them have enabled an increasing number of technology companies to offer their services at such shows.

Free of smoke and other pollutants, flying machines are seen by an increasing number of event organizers as a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to fireworks displays. Drones are also quieter than fireworks, making displays more enjoyable for spectators and less disruptive to nearby communities and wildlife in the area.

On the other hand, there is always the risk of faulty drones suddenly falling out of the sky, but if the display takes place away from the crowd, such as over water, such mishaps are unlikely to cause any harm.