Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in the war against Ukraine, according to two sources from a European intelligence agency and documents reviewed by Reuters. IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned weapons company Almaz-Antey, has developed and flight-tested a new drone model called […]
New System Offers Autonomous Drone Deployment for Critical Operations Skydio has announced the release of Dock for X10, a new system designed to make autonomous drone operations more accessible and scalable. This technology builds on the company’s long-standing commitment to autonomy, enabling drones to operate without the constant attention of a skilled pilot. According to […]
UAVOS Engineers Support Mira HAPS in Breakthrough Earth Observation Payload Deployment Across the UAE at 15,000m Altitude California-based developer UAVOS Inc., a joint venture with Emirati company Bayanat AI, recently announced that they provided support to Mira Aerospace in a successful series of high altitude platform station (HAPS) flights across the UAE. UAVOS engineers helped […]
Unlocking the Power of Pixels: Efficient 3D Data Creation with Global Mapper Pro’s Pixels to Points Tool Sponsored Content. The all-in-one geospatial software, Global Mapper Pro®, really does it all! From raster data viewing and editing to vector feature creation, Global Mapper Pro goes further to include tools for point cloud analysis and classification. The […]
New Payload Slashes Time and Boosts Efficiency for Complex Survey Projects by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb At InterGeo this week, Switzerland-based drone manufacturer Wingtra recently announced their new MAP61 mapping payload, which they describe as “the most efficient mapping sensor on the market”. Able to capture up to 1,140 acres in a single […]
Drone light shows have become a captivating blend of technology and artistry. One company at the forefront of the trend, Sky Elements, just made history by finishing third on AGT Season 19.
It’s a huge milestone considering no drone light show company has come anywhere near this far on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, let alone made a podium finish. Their AGT Season 19 run brought an innovative twist to a competition traditionally dominated by singers, dancers, and acrobats. Alas, Sky Elements didn’t win the final, $1 million prize, but they did cement their status as trailblazers in the world of entertainment.
“Inspirational, brilliants, unique,” said judge Simon Cowell of Sky Elements podium finish. “I think it was great for us, and I think it was great for you.”
How Sky Elements got so far on AGT Season 19
A moment from the Sky Elements Semi-Finals performance. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
Sky Elements’ rise to prominence on AGT is nothing short of remarkable. For starters, they showed their prowess in mastering the technical challenges of using drones as artistic tools. That’s not just having the right hardware and software, but also working with the Federal Aviation Administration to fly swarms of drones over Pasadena.
From there, they brought in intricate choreography that was just as emotional as it was thoughtful.
In a finale packed with performances from world-class artists and entertainers, the drone specialists held their own, delivering one last breathtaking display outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. That was their fifth drone show to air on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Their audition nabbed a Golden buzzer from Simon Cowell. Perhaps the spacewalk who turned out to be, well, Simon Cowell himself, had something to do with it. They then performed a circus-themed drone show at Quarter Finals, which took them to an emotional Semi-Finals performance. That show memorialized the daughter of Sky Elements Chief Pilot Preston Ward. Named Briley Rose, she passed away as an infant. For the America’s Got Talent finale, which yours truly (that’s me, Drone Girl) attended live, Sky Elements performed a show called American Dream.
Winners were determined based on audience votes. The America’s Got Talent rules allow each person to submit up to 10 votes for every performer.
The final results of AGT Season 19
Learnmore Jonasi (Photo courtesy of NBC)
Ultimately Sky Elements didn’t get enough votes to win the top, $1 million spot. Here were the top 5, in order from position 5 all the way down to the top, gold medal spot:
5. Learnmore Jonasi – The comedian’s unique brand of humor and relatable storytelling earned him a spot in the top five.
4. Solange Kardinaly – The quick-change magician brought clever humor — and impeccable sewing skills — to the stage.
3. Sky Elements – The drone show company amazed audiences with their precise and colorful light shows, using hundreds of drones to create unforgettable spectacles.
2. Roni Sagi & Rhythm – The electrifying dancers (one of which is a dog) fused rhythm and incredibly choreography.
1. Richard Goodall – The singing janitor stole America’s hearts — and ultimately nabbed the $1 million prize.
A star-studded finale
Olympic legend Simone Biles. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
The AGT finale wasn’t just about the competition. The episode featured performances by some of the biggest names in entertainment. Olympic legend Simone Biles promoted her Gold Over America Tour, while The Voice coach Michael Bublé serenaded the audience with his classic crooner style. Neal Schon and members of Journey performed timeless hits (including a rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” with winner Richard Goodall.
DJ Steve Aoki and AIRFOOTWORKS. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
Others in the top 10 performed alongside already-famous performers. For example, DJ Steve Aoki spun a set in tandem with AIRFOOTWORKS.
For us, though, the highlight was Sky Elements’ top-three finish, which highlights a turning point for tech-driven performance art on mainstream stages.
Want to learn how to make your own drone light show? Check out the Drone Dojo light show kit, which starts at just $1,000. Or, check out the even more robust DroneBlocks Light Show Kit which includes more drones for $7,500.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) launched the U.S.-Singapore Joint Challenge to identify novel unmanned aerial systems (UAS) communications technologies and counter-UAS technologies. The joint challenge consists of two opportunities to identify and scale dual-use technologies for operational demands: First, the challenge seeks to help ships operating close to shore […]
– Rohde & Schwarz, a provider of counter uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS), is showcasing its ARDRONIS C-UAS family, integrated through the updated SAPIENT standard protocol, at the NATO Technical Interoperability Exercise (TIE) event in Vredepeel, Netherlands. The exercise brings together civilian and military specialists, as well as over 60 industry participants, to test counter-drone technologies […]
Advanced Protection Systems (APS), a Polish counter-drone technology company, has developed a new autonomous interceptor drone designed to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles through direct collision. This new and cost-effective solution adds to APS’s growing portfolio of anti-drone tools, which are already being used to protect Ukraine’s skies from Russian UAVs. The interceptor drone is part […]
Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in the war against Ukraine, according to two sources from a European intelligence agency and documents reviewed by Reuters. IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned weapons company Almaz-Antey, has developed and flight-tested a new drone model called […]
