[CES 2024] Korean-created Drone Soccer wows Las Vegas at CES

A drone soccer match, using rules and technology developed in Jeonju, North Jeolla, is demonstrated at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Tuesday. [CAMTIC INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY]

The exhibition for drone soccer, a high-tech aviation sport using rules and technology developed in Jeonju, North Jeolla, flew high at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.

Around 200 spectators gathered at each drone soccer match at CES, which were exhibited at the Venetian starting Tuesday. Jeonju Mayor Woo Bum-ki, the host of the booth, held the global launch ceremony for the sport, alongside Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwan-young and Jeonbuk National University President Yang Oh-bong.

The game takes place in a flying zone, while each player outside of the court maneuvers their own drone, which is encased by wiring to be shaped like a ball. Two teams of five compete for a total of three sets, with each set taking three minutes.

Players are either strikers, keepers, sweepers, centers or forwards and control the drone balls to score and defend against the opposing team. Points are made when the striker’s “ball” is put into the opposing team's hoop.

High-profile attendees who viewed the matches included Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and business executives from Samsung Electronics, SK Supex, JB Financial Group and Hana Financial Group.

The game and its involved technology were developed in collaboration with the Jeonju government and Jeonju-based Camtic Institute of Technology, and first demonstrated in 2016.

“Just like how World Cup football, which was formalized by England, is enjoyed by three billion people all over the globe, drone soccer’s creator Jeonju will develop drone soccer into a global leisure sport,” said Noh Sang-heup, chairman of the Camtic Institute of Technology and Federation of International Dronesoccer association (FIDA).

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]