South Korea has had an interesting relationship with drone enthusiasts, for numerous different reasons. Due to the no-fly zones and other legal requirements, getting together to race drones is quite difficult in the country. In what is apparently an attempt to keep their name recognition around the world, Chinese tech company DJI has announced in their recent statement plans to open a 1395 square meter (~4,500 square foot) drone arena in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province (50 km south of Seoul).
The indoor venue is to be equipped with all the safety features required and expected of a drone facility, including the most basic of those, nets to catch wild UAVs. Other than that, a wide arena will be open for individual and group bookings, as well as corporate event rentals. A maintenance room will be fitted with charging docks and a workstation to assist pilots with repairs.
“DJI is committed to making aerial technology more accessible and easier to learn for anyone who wants to use it, and the DJI Arena is a great example,” said Moon Tae-Hyun, DJI Korea’s Country Manager. “We hope to provide a safe and fun environment for people to experience the technology first hand, whether they are skilled enthusiasts or someone who is just curious to learn. Best of all, the indoor venue will provide a space for people to fly all year round despite weather conditions outside.”
Arenas like the one DJI is planning can provide huge momentum for the drone racing scene. This step isn’t just a way to help bring South Korea further into the drone racing scene, it’s also a way to bring the scene to the mainstream. These areas can act as a meeting place for both inexperienced pilots and experts, a tangible place to go to for practice. This is a fantastic way to get younger kids interested in the sport, especially if there are rental quads available.
Don’t forget to check out DJI’s official statement on this subject.