The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest yearly event in the United States. Viewed by millions during its telecast, it is the single most profitable televised show per year. Commercials can cost sponsors and advertisers millions of dollars for them to air during breaks. With the whole country watching, the Super Bowl requires a bit of managing. This year, its most feared problem is a rogue drone controlled by one of the fans in the stadium. The event usually takes place on outdoor stadiums that can hold over 50,000 people. With such a large volume of spectators, it can end badly if chaos starts up.
Super Bowl Security
A crashing drone can easily injure many people upon landing. The incoming chaos of people trying to get out of the way can add to the injuries and problems exponentially. A drone can also interfere with the game’s own camerawork, while also posing as a threat to the many structures inside the stadium. In a less dangerous (but still troublesome) issue, drones can also take illegal photographs and videos of the event.
This weekend, the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots will play in front of millions for Super Bowl LIII. While the players and managers are busy preparing tactics and plays, the authorities of the area prepare for the risk of drones. Their solution to this threat comes in the form of a 3D radar system that can map and scan the area. With this at their disposal, they can spot any illegal drone activity in the area before it even reaches the dome itself. This technology is the Echodyne, which creates a 3D representation of the area, and updates it close to real-time. This means that if a drone starts up in the area, they can easily track it down. It also means they can pinpoint the general area of where it was launched, hopefully getting to the person behind the drone.
