Insight Trip _____ DJI Arena
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Fly Drones Up, Send Stress Away
A number of drones fly across the airfield, making just a little noise. Testifying to the increasing interest in this new gadget, many visitors including families and professionals fill the indoor airfield. Opened in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, in August 2016, DJI Arena is an indoor space exclusively designed for drones. Attracting enthusiastic drone-users, DJI Arena allow them to fly drones without difficulties often experienced in outdoor settings.
Pleasant Takeoff of Drones
Originally developed for military purposes, drones are now increasingly used in the private sector too.
According to IT research company Gartner's recent report on drone markets,
approximately 2.15 million drones for private purposes were marketed worldwide over the past year.
Korea's drone market is estimated at KRW 170 billion and is poised to grow further.
However, a few problems or restrictions have emerged in flying drones.
For outdoor activities, users need to ensure they do not fly drones in a no-fly zone, and they also need permission for flight.
Weather conditions are certainly an important factor, and users are responsible for finding a safe and appropriate place for flight.
Even if they find a suitable place, they are not likely to have sufficient time for individual flight because of the flight-restricted hours.
Although some cafes have begun to provide space for drone users, the limited areas are only available for simple takeoffs and landings.
DJI Arena was created by DJI, the Chinese drone and photography equipment manufacturer, as the world's first indoor drone airfield.
DJI solved the major problems faced by the existing drone users and reflected the recent market trends.
By introducing an indoor space of an estimated area of 1,395m2,
DJI Arena addresses the issues related to the uncontrollable nature of outdoor activity and the restricted flying within a small space.
Whereas drone users had to select an area where flying is not prohibited,
they are now able to fly their equipment within a vast indoor space.
In addition, various events such as flight practice and racing can be held unaffected by weather conditions.
Dreaming of a Refreshing Flight
DJI Arena has pentagonal and tetragonal structures equipped with colorful lighting, which resemble obstacles in outer space.
The vast space allows a number of drones to fly at the same time, and it is convenient to hold large-scale events such as drone racing.
Instead of simply flying the drones, participants can have more fun controlling their drones through different obstacles.
Behind the flying zone are control chairs, the space for drone pilots.
Wearing goggles, the users sit on the chair placed upon the obstacle-like structure and control their flying objects.
The first-person view throughout the flying path makes the experience even more interesting.
The pilots can watch their drone flying on the LCD screen.
VR equipment, another IT product that has become popular recently, also adds unfamiliar pleasure to drone flying.
Those who wear VR headsets can enjoy the vivid pictures taken by drone cameras.
When drones are connected to VR devices, the users can simply control the camera direction by moving their head without actually controlling the camera.
Flying a drone is the central part of the visit to DJI Arena, but visitors can still have fun without drones.
The large screen behind the pilot chairs shows the first-person view of the drone racers, allowing for an indirect experience.
The airfield has a large net that prevents drones from deviating from the course and protects drone pilots and spectators.
There is also a maintenance shop to examine or repair drones before flight.
Drones as Family Entertainment
Drone racing is a pleasant source of entertainment at DJI Arena.
Drones fly through a set route, and their flight records are compared to each other.
The participants alternately sit on the pilot chair and the team with the best records wins the competition.
The boom in drone racing in recent years has produced a number of drone racers across the world.
Korea also has outstanding racers with excellent results both in domestic and international races.
Visitors are welcome to watch the racing games and find the next best drone racer.
DJI Arena is a place where all family members can enjoy flying drones. Parents can explain how drones work to their children
and help them better understand IT devices, and a visit to DJI Arena will certainly be a great way to find a new, refreshing hobby.
Spending a weekend in this unique, exclusive indoor airfield for drones, all visitors will be able to fly drones and relieve their stress.
