Augmented reality technology company Edgybees has taken the first step toward gamifying the drone industry. Its new mobile application, Drone Prix, is compatible with DJI drones, including the Phantom 3, Phantom 4 and the Mavic Pro.
The game was made using DJI’s software development kit. It’s called ‘Drone Prix’, and is the first (perhaps of many) augmented reality app developed specifically for DJI drones. The idea is to give new drone pilots a way to master their skills in a fun, safe and immersive way.
The game is pretty simple. You fly your DJI drone through a virtual obstacle course and collect points for avoiding obstacles along the way. It can be social, too. Pilots can compete for the best performance, points and time for a place in the high-score leaderboard with other drone pilots around the world.
“When we first came up with the idea for this app, we wanted to create a new experience for pilots combining the joys of flying with the thrills of gamification. The Drone Prix AR app is really the first augmented reality social game designed specifically to do just that,” said Menashe Haskin, Edgybees CTO & Co-Founder.
“In contrast with flight simulators, Drone Prix AR provides a much more immersive experience that combines virtual obstacles with real-life piloting skills. DJI’s Mobile SDK allowed us to bring our idea to life very quickly and we are really excited to see how this app will change the way people experience flying a drone.”
Key features of the Drone Prix app include:
- Solo and Competition Modes: Race against the clock to beat your previous score or compete with other users around the world to make it onto the leaderboard.
- Flight Assistant: Track guiding will assist the pilot in the 3D space while they navigate around obstacles to collect coins and prizes.
- Multiple Courses: Featuring over 30 different obstacle courses, with varying difficulties suitable for novice to experienced pilots.
- Social Engagement: Pilots can link their user ID to their Facebook account and share their achievements with top performing pilots appearing on the leaderboard.
Just like with the DJI GO 4 App, Drone Prix can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet. Once the drone, remote controller and mobile app are powered on and connected, you’ll be shown the drone’s camera view on their app and can then select the course and start flying.
“DJI’s support for the startup and developer communities has not only meant the creation of new usage applications, but also new business opportunities,” said Taehyun Moon, DJI’s Director of Brand Management. “The Drone Prix app is one of the many great examples of how our SDK has opened doors to new creative possibilities and expanded developers’ ability to build exciting new applications.”
The Drone Prix app is now available for free in the App Store and Play Store. You’ll need to be flying in a wide-open space to make the most of it.
Malek Murison is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for tech trends and innovation. He handles product reviews, major releases and keeps an eye on the enthusiast market for DroneLife.
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