Pathways to a Just Digital Future Watch this tech inequality series featuring scholars, practitioners, & activistsĭRL is capitalizing on the popularity of drones, newfound interest in virtual reality, and the emergence of eSports as high growth market opportunities. BI Intelligence expects consumer drone shipments to hit 29 million in 2021, which would indicate a CAGR of 31.3%.” (4). According to Business Insider, “Consumer drones are drones purchased by individuals for noncommercial and nonprofessional purposes. The league has ~ 750,000 Facebook, 85,000 Instagram, and 33,000 Twitter followers.įirst, a little about the market. “The league, which airs on big networks like ESPN and Sky, says it reached an audience of more than 30 million viewers during its inaugural season last year” (3). DRL is leveraging a multi-faceted strategy of media, content, sponsorships, and technology to scale up their platform business. The company has raised $21M in funding from strategic investors and VC funds (2). Here is a video of a race through the Miami Dolphins Football Stadium:įounded in 2015 by HBS alumni Nicholas Horbaczewski, DRL has signed partnerships with ESPN, Fox Sports, Swatch, and the U.S. The capabilities of these drones allow the league to produce stunning media content unlike anything seen before.

These Pilots race through breathtaking courses in stadiums, abandoned warehouses, and buildings. DRL Pilots put on their VR helmets and enter a first person view of custom built drones that can fly at over 80 mph. Its a fusion of video gaming, virtual reality, and Formula 1 racing. Drone Racing League (DRL) is perhaps as close as humanity has come to the ‘Pod Racing’ seen in Star Wars.

The drone racing league simulator rates