Dedicam’s Oktokopter follows Swiss Television downhill

At the 82nd International Lauberhorn Races in Wengen, Swiss Television used a remote control Oktokopter from Dedicam for the first time to deliver spectacular live aerial pictures of the skiers from the air, writes German Correspondent, Birgit Heidsiek.

Swiss Television SF/tpc (technology and production center switzerland ag) engaged the services of the Dedicam team and the 4kg Oktokopter for the production. During the downhill skiing the Oktokopter was used to track every fifth skier from the side, the back or from above. The biggest challenge in this process is the right timing according to the pilot Dionsy Frei, making fast reactions essential so that the drone can be steered in such a way that the skiers aren’t irritated by it.

The battery-powered Oktopkopter flies almost silently. At the Lauberhorn Races it was equipped with a converted Sony-camera head whose pictures were transmitted wireless via a HF link. After this successful premiere the Oktokopter also has been used by ZDF for the women’s ski world cup race in Garmisch, while other sports projects have included the Mountain Bike World Championship in Champéry and the Gigathlon in Valais.