How is this for tech in action? This one single drone show broke five Guinness World Records in less than 13 minutes. BotLab Dynamics, an India-based drone light show company, put on the show, which was created for the Amaravati Drone Summit 2024 in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
The show, which took place on Oct. 22, 2024, featured 5,500 drones. Those drones flew into seven formations, most of which were strategically planned to check multiple Guinness World Record boxes. That include an aerial recreation of the Amaravati Buddha Stupa and an aerial depiction of the Indian tricolor flag. And while each formation was a feat in its own right, the performance stood out by setting five world records.
The 5 Guinness World Records broken
As drone shows become more ubiquitous (they’re even part of cruises now), it’s hardly sufficient to put together just a cool show to make news. The news-making shows these days break world records — and this show broke five of them. Those were:
- Largest aerial display of a vehicle formed by multirotors/drones
- Largest aerial landmark display formed by multirotors/drones: That was specifically for the recreation of the Amaravati Buddha Stupa in the sky
- Largest aerial display of a planet formed by drones: For this one, a 3D globe with light paths converging on Andhra Pradesh lit up the night sky, symbolizing the state’s emerging role as an aviation hub.
- Largest aerial logo display formed by drones: Here, the sky was emblazoned with the logo of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), signifying India’s growing influence in the global aviation sector.
- Largest aerial image of a flag formed by multirotors/drones: The grand finale saw a magnificent display of the Indian flag, formed with impeccable detail by the drones. The tricolor soared high, representing India’s unity, strength, and limitless potential in both technology and global influence.
The bar for drone show world records continues to get higher. Just last year, BotLab Dynamics set the Indian national record for largest drone show in the country. For that show, they flew “just” 3,500 drones in one show, which pales in comparison to the 5,500 drones in the October 2024 show.
Both are still huge relative to your average drone show. In North America, the average drone show comprises 218 drones. That’s according to the 2024 Drone Show Market Analysis report from SPH Engineering, created in collaboration with market research group Duamentes Global Alliance. Even China, which tends to have the biggest, flashiest hows of any region, has on average 660 drones per show. That’s a fraction of the 5,500 seen here.
Are drone show companies taking records too far?
That said, it seems every drone light show company these days is on a mission to scoop up as many world records as they can.
For example, we were certainly all over the news when Disneyland Paris hosted a Bastille Day celebration in July 2024 that included a world record-breaking drone show, put on together with drone light show company Dronisos. That show used 1,571 drones to create a tricolor Mickey Mouse head, which in turn broke the record for “Largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors / drones.”
It didn’t take long for Sky Elements to break that very record when it put 2,400 drones on the field of Petco Park in San Diego as part of a “Deadpool and Wolverine” themed show for San Diego Comic Con, which happened later than same month. And even Sky Elements has been a quest to rack up records, such as the Guinness World Records title for the most remote-operated multi-rotor drones launching fireworks simultaneously.
With drones being able to form practically anything (and some even with fireworks), the possibilities for record-breaking are nearly endless.
Want the largest aerial display of a tree? Go for it. How about the largest aerial formation of a taco? Surely no one’s claimed that yet. And for what it’s worth, there are all sorts of (often silly) records up for grabs. For what it’s worth, Guinness World Records generally makes more money when more records are broken. (It’s technically free for anyone to get their record verified for free. But, many people pay Guinness World Records for an expedited approval). So rather than up the ante for records, there are often just more records to be had.
The company today tracks about 65,000 records. For example, Princess Cruises holds the record for “World’s Largest Pizza Party.” In 2023 alone, Guinness World Records approved 4,975 records.
But it’s clear that drone show companies like BotLab Dynamics are leading the charge to claim them all. It’s like an aerial version of “Pokémon: Gotta Catch ‘Em All.” Only here, the stakes are record-breaking bragging rights — and the canvas is the night sky.
How the record-breaking India drone show happened
BotLab Dynamics, a startup co-founded by IIT Delhi graduates, executed the record-breaking event after years of seeking to establish itself as a leader in drone light shows.
But whereas many drone shows appear to be just one pilot beyond the controls of hundreds (or in this case, thousands) of drones, BotLabs says a stunt this big required a massive team. (And for what it’s worth, no drone show of scale truly just requires one pilot. Multiple hands are required on deck for tasks like set up and calibration.)
This show combined the efforts of BotLab Dynamics’ team of 150 engineers, designers and other specialists.
Though this show is particularly notable, BotLab Dynamics has been steadily clocking milestones. Notable, past shows include their first large-scale performance of 1,000 drones at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the Beating Retreat ceremony. That made India the fourth country to host a drone show on that scale. Other notable achievements include creating India’s first QR code in the sky over Mumbai. It also created what (at the time) was the world’s biggest drone light show, done for the Ambani Pre-Wedding Show in Jamnagar.
BotLab Dynamics shares future vision for drone shows
BotLab Dynamics says their mission in pushing drone light show technology stems from a desire to replace traditional fireworks, thereby reducing environmental pollution and offering a more sustainable alternative.
Their current fleet of more than 7,000 drones has already made significant strides, but the company’s vision is global.
That said, BotLab Dynamics is not purely focused on drone shows. The company’s origins actually stem from the defense sector. BotLab Dynamics says it plans to re-enter that market, too.
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