Hi, I’m Rudi Browning, I’m 15 years old, and I’m a professional drone racer from Brisbane.
Drone racing is essentially racing and building drones. I’ve got a soldering iron and a workshop at home. I’ve also got a local park near me which I’m often training and building and fixing and racing, so, yeah, it’s heaps of fun and I really enjoy it.
I qualified for the FAI World Championships in Shenzhen, based on an event that I went to in Sydney. I placed highly in that event, qualifying me for the, er, the race in China.
We’ve got the yellow drone of Australia out in front. The red drone of Latvia in second place. Through the bridge ...
The race in China had over 127 competitors from 34 different countries, so there was some brutal competition and, er yeah, I’m super happy to have, er, taken away the win.
The 2018 championship is for the taking. And he does take it, ladies and gentlemen. Australia!
When I crossed the line in first place, I was just so overwhelmed and so happy. Um, so much work and dedication has gone into this racing. I’ve had a lot of bad luck and er, I feel like that bad luck has made this win even sweeter.
Rudi Browning, the champion …
Back home, er, my parents and a bunch of other friends were watching the livestream on a big TV and apparently it was pretty intense, so, yeah, everyone is super, super happy and, er yeah, a really good result.
Drone racing is great for kids, um, from all ages. It’s good for like, it’s a good family environment, it’s a good community and it’s really fun.
In order to start drone racing, you need a controller, that’s what’s you, that’s what’s got the two joysticks, and that’s how you control it. You also need a pair of virtual reality goggles, also known as FPV goggles for ‘first person view’. That way you can see the camera and what’s happening on the drone live and pretty much zero latency, which is amazing.
There’s heaps of Facebook forums and groups and lots of YouTube videos on how to get into it, and, er yeah, it’s really accessible, ’cause, um, the internet’s got heaps of information, and, yeah, people are always welcome to help you out.
Team Australia step forward ...
So, er, Team Australia also came first in the team racing event. Korea was some fierce competition; er, I knew it would be close. I’m just so, so happy to have won and I’m so happy it ended the way it did.
There’s a series called DCL – the Drone Championships League. Um, there’s 16 races in eight different countries all around the world, starting in Switzerland, so that’s very exciting. Er, Team FPVR and Australia will be representing. It should be really exciting next year and I can’t wait to continue with it and see what the future has to hold.
© ABC
Comments
I would like to try drone flying. It looks very exciting and funny. Also that sounds really interesting because of amazing view.
I'd like to try drone racing because I have my own drone and I have experience with drone flying and the idea of drone racing sounds really exciting.
The video is amazing. I would like to try this kind of sport
Drones racing is a new step in technology. This video motivates to become a part of the Future!
I know lots about drone racing 'cause that's my dad's hobby. One thing that I can say about it it's hard to learn how to race and if you have nerly middle level, it'll cost a big money.
I think it is a very interesting hobby since at the same time that you are having a good time you are learning about technology apart from that you must have a lot of skill
I would like to be a drone racing because it allows you to travel a hobby that you have anywhere in the world. Also having the luck to be able to achieve the dream of your life by winning competitions and reaching a great prize. It would be a unique opportunity to earn a living from what you like and having fun with your drone.
Yes, I would like to try drone flying because it looks interesting!
No I don't feel like participating a drone race. Because for me its very scary.
I like the video and I learnt some new words.