Last but not least: The Quadrocopter Swarm - "A Whole New Art Form"

The LED-equipped mini-helicopters took off last night for a spectacular show: they drew the Star Trek logo in the night sky above downtown London. The flying light sculpture was commissioned by film producer Paramount. The light show was intended to draw attention to the theatrical release of the new Star Trek episode "Into Darkness," which hits European theaters in May.

The choreography of the quadrocopters equipped with LED lighting was developed by the Ars Electronica Futurelab in Linz. The flying machines were provided by Ascending Technologies from Krailling near Munich. The small helicopters, which weigh only 500 grams, are electrically powered. They have a GPS module that enables them to autonomously control and maintain their position. Software developed by the Ars Electronica Futurelab provides the positions by radio. With small LED lamps as payloads, the quadrocopters can dynamically form arbitrary figures in the sky.

After its premiere at the Linz "Klangwolke," this was the second use of the quadrocopter swarm. The Ars Electronica Futurelab developed the control software for the swarm on the basis of the 3D Studio Max design software. As in an animation, designers define the three-dimensional shape of the light sculpture and its movements. The respective result is transmitted to the flight control software. This sends the coordinates to be controlled to the quadrocopters. It is insensitive to interference from cell phone radio or WLAN networks and even takes into account minor position deviations caused by GPS measurement errors or wind, so that safe choreography is possible in the tightest of spaces.

"With this swarm, we've developed an entirely new art form, a flying light sculpture" says Horst Hörtner of the Ars Electronica Futurelab.

A "completely new art form"? I wonder if this isn't a bit of an exaggeration? See for yourself: