Drones vs. cars: How the Dronekhana recording was made

Drones are the toy of the moment. I don’t mean they are a toy in the classic sense of the word, but rather the new must-have device that ends up appealing to everyone, both professionally and personally. What a few years ago were simple toys are now high-precision machines that perform the most remarkable feats with the help of their pilots, who are always ready to deliver the best possible show.

So the idea of a competition between two of the best cars in the Ford lineup and two of these small remote-controlled aircraft is not unusual at all. It involves making two drones move around a predetermined circuit, with the presence of a Ford Focus RS appearing on the scene drifting and forcing the drones to follow it, and a Ford Mustang doing burnouts and putting the young pilots in difficulty.

In the final video we see how these two pilots, Luke Bannister and Brett Collins, from the British team Tornado XBlades make their drones perform a series of impressive stunts, following the circuit and facing the challenges set along it. Two young men who know how to make these small machines move to the rhythm they set, revealing the formidable characteristics of these drones.

But the interesting part is not only seeing the final result of the video, but also taking a look at how this test was recorded. The competition drones that perform these acrobatic flights are capable of reaching a top speed of 120 km/h, although only for three minutes. Afterwards, the batteries need to be recharged or replaced before they can return to the track.

As for the recording in “Bullet Time“, the system used is similar to the one made for the film The Matrix, using up to 32 GoPro cameras, which recorded simultaneously and achieved that “time-freezing” effect that looks so spectacular. The vehicles that form part of the obstacles the pilots must overcome remain stationary, except for the Focus RS, which performs several manoeuvres to test the pilots’ skill, and the Mustang, which creates a cloud of smoke to block the young pilots’ visibility.

An adventure you can watch, both finished and ready to enjoy, or in a video showing the making of. Spectacular, right?

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Technical specifications of the cars in this article

HatchbackFord Focus19 versions · from 31,034 €

CoupeFord Mustang6 versions · from 62,405 €