By Jieyu Wang, Zhang Deng, iChongqing News

This year’s competition attracted 38 racers from 9 countries, including China, America, France, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and so on. All the pilots came to Chongqing International Expo Center to show us an exciting aircraft game. Our iChongqing team live-streamed the practice on Facebook to show the overseas audience some highlights.

Why do we call racing drones as traversing machine?

The drone used in the competition has another name, traversing machine. Why do we call it traversing machine? This is because the speed of this kind of drone, unlike those used for taking photos or aerial photography, is very fast, with a top speed of 140-160km /h.

The drone is on the bench preparing for the race.

“In the competition, the racer will fly with the first perspective through wearing AR glasses. And they will use radio remote control equipment to control the aircraft to cross the obstacles in accordance with the prescribed route sequence. Each player will be divided into groups according to the draw and each group will have 4 racers. If pilots miss to pass the obstacles or get crashed, their points will be deducted. On this basis, the pilots with a shorter time will win the race,” said one of the judges, explaining the competition rules.

More fancy racing track and more experience activities

This year’s Grand Prix positively responds to the theme of Smart China Expo 2019 "Smart technology: Empowering Economy, Enriching life". We found that this year's track design is more technical. On the basis of last year's post-modern LED lighting track style, there are more three-dimensional elements and tridimensional structures. Besides, the innovative construction is carried out combining with Chongqing characteristic elements. The design of the track reflects the integration of culture and technology, which not only allows the players to enjoy the senses, but also a challenge for their ability to control the plane and judge the route.

Volunteers are helping to take down the drone hanged on the protective net.

“Besides, we upgraded the picture transmission system, so as to optimize the problem of multi-path interference, and further improve the competitive environment this year. We also broadcast the event through high-definition digital signal transmission technology, bringing new flying experience to the participants and spectators,” said Dehua Yang, the event organizer.

Drones in competition. Photo by Gao Xiaowen.

In addition, spectators can also experience drone racing. The organizer also set a series of experience activities of drones racing on-site, which pay more attention to the science popularization and interaction of the activities. It’s a good opportunity for the spectators to understand the basic principles, learn the basic operations of drones and experience the fun of flying.