Drones

Drone soccer match kicks off in Colorado this weekend

Source US Drone Soccer

A high school organization in Colorado is up to speed with the latest sports facility – drone soccer.

It’s correct. Drone. Soccer.

With so many aerospace and defense companies, it’s no surprise that Colorado Springs soars with the newest cousin of Harry Potter’s soaring Quidditch.

On July 31st, the Rocky Mountain State Games (RMSG), Colorado’s largest multisport festival for athletes of all ages and levels of ability, will kick off the very first drone soccer tournament.

What is drone football? Continue reading.

According to US Drone Soccer, the sport is “an exciting indoor team sport that is played with remote-controlled hobby quadcopters that are safely enclosed in protective plastic balls”.

“A drone on each team is called a striker who can score points by flying through the opponent’s goal. Defend or block all other drones by deliberately colliding with the opposing team. The standard play area can fit in a classroom – a 3 x 6 m arena with nets. “

The program began in May with Wings Over the Rockies: Exploration of Flight. “It’s the first drone program I’ve seen that is based on teamwork,” Air Force Kyle Sanders told the Military Times. “It’s viewer-friendly and can be a science and technology ride for students.”

Sanders explains the rules:

“One player per team controls the specially marked Striker drone in order to score through the other team’s goal. The other players work to block either the striker or opposing drones with full contact collisions. The drones have a plastic exoskeleton that allows them to withstand hits from enemies. The game has a three-minute triad and teammates must be able to (literally) fix their drones in an instant (literally) in order to continue the game. While playing, the students learn practical skills that are reflected in various professional fields such as aerospace. “

A US Drone Soccer spokesman says the program was designed for classroom use and has been reviewed by educators:

“Starter kits contain everything you need to establish a new drone program and to involve one or more groups in the practical learning. Students wishing to compete can join an extracurricular team and participate in a local academic league and regional tournaments. The students will not leave drone soccer, but will be able to move up to a larger drone class at college and international level. “

“The aim is to show them future career paths,” adds Sander. “If we can get them excited with the game, they’ll build and program the drones and fail to realize that those skills can jump right into an aerospace career that they can pay for even in high school.”

Jason is a longtime DroneLife employee with a passionate interest in anything technology related. He focuses on anti-drone technologies and the public safety sector; Police, fire brigade, search and rescue services.

Jason began his career as a journalist in 1996 and has since written and edited thousands of exciting news articles, blog posts, press releases, and online content.

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