Drone light displays - the death of fireworks?

[Slow.Patrol]

I cannot be the only one who was impressed with the drone light displays at the coronation concert.

I wonder in time, if they will become a replacement for fireworks and become part of a display set to music. Especially as fireworks seem to be getting a lot more criticism from animal owners.

[tamore]

don't think it's just the drones either, the projection onto buildings or indeed any surface is incredible now.

it's about the noise and smell really. much like another debate raging on several PH threads

[InformationSuperHighway]

Much prefer the drone shows now. Fireworks are a pain in the ass, especially if you have young kids / pets.

[juggsy]

I can’t see it personally. Maybe for the largest displays, but the level of investment/tech/programming/artistry required, it’s a very specialised field that wouldn’t be accessible to smaller displays/events. They’re also weather dependent. A 1000 drones were used for the coronation.

https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/23507838.wind...

But I agree, they are incredibly impressive.

[Spare tyre]

Hmm, think of the facebook trolling opportunities here

[Mr.Grooler]

juggsy said:

I can’t see it personally. Maybe for the largest displays, but the level of investment/tech/programming/artistry required, it’s a very specialised field that wouldn’t be accessible to smaller displays/events. They’re also weather dependent. A 1000 drones were used for the coronation.

https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/23507838.wind...

But I agree, they are incredibly impressive.

I’m surprised to read that the drones don’t communicate with each other - you’d think the chance of collisions would be significant, even with GPS or whatever positioning they use. It’s very impressive as you say. There must be a lot of batteries being charged up afterwards….!

[Terminator X]

tamore said:

don't think it's just the drones either, the projection onto buildings or indeed any surface is incredible now.

it's about the noise and smell really. much like another debate raging on several PH threads

I can tell you now they won't take real fireworks away from me

TX.

[Jonquil]

When I saw the whale, I thought, "What a bendy aeroplane".
However, the instant I twigged what is was meant to be,
the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy sprang to mind.
No bowl of petunias though.

[Wololo]

Drones can't replace the excitement of your parents bringing home a £20 box of garden fireworks. I remember the fun of opening it up to look at the selection of tubes, cones and little boxes with names like "jade dragon" and wondering what they do, then finally finding out.

No, I think fireworks are safe from drones. At least those kinds of drones.

[Alorotom]

In some countries it’s already started to happen - especially in the far east.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Disneyworld implemented a drone display to replace their evening fireworks displays as they literally burn $m’s every year with daily closure displays and this would doubtless be better value for them and also they’d be able to make shows more “themed”

[Timothy Bucktu]

They are amazing. But you can't beat a proper fireworks display. Sadly the Karen killjoys will soon get their way with them as well though.

[Zetec-S]

I think they'll start to replace the big displays, but obviously it's not feasible for your average home display. Until they ban the sale of fireworks to the public completely you'll still get hard up council types spunking a small fortune on traditional fireworks for the foreseeable future.

[StevieBee]

Drones are very location specific. You need a very large, flat surface from which they can take off and no overhead power lines.

They are stunning but I don't see them replacing fireworks for a while yet.

[HappyMidget]

StevieBee said:

overhead power lines.

I would suggest they are not great for a traditional display...

[Grumps.]

I understand some of the types of drones can actually launch fireworks as well, although i guess it wont be any big ones as they would get fired into the ground.

[peterperkins]

It's a bit like the NRA, you can have my fireworks when you prise them from my cold dead hands.

I like fireworks and drones can't replicate the bang, flash and excitement of gunpowder and various metal salts in a closed tube.
Pyrotechnics is an ancient art and skill worth preserving...
Obviously there is an annoying chav element that causes problems with them.
But again this is PH, so are we going to ban it because a small minority are idiots.

They can work together well and the cleverness of drones is very impressive.
I think they are complimentary....

[Tycho]

HappyMidget said:

StevieBee said:

overhead power lines.

I would suggest they are not great for a traditional display...

Don't forget most UK displays take place in November when it's usually pissing it down which would have most drone displays cancelled.

[tamore]

it'll be horses for courses. some places will actually suit a drone/ light display better. but for sheer scale and awe i can't see fireworks ever being replaced for big displays like sydney/ london.

i do think you should need a licence to buy fireworks though. as usual the few have ruined it for the majority.

[WY86]

For Guy Fawkes night i would prefer fireworks over drones, for new year and things like coronations drones seem like a good alternative.

[BoRED S2upid]

Drones and fireworks at the same time could be a fun game.