Japan-based NTT Docomo has developed the world’s first spherical drone display, which features an unmanned aerial vehicle that displays LED images on an omnidirectional spherical screen mid-air.

The structure has been developed by putting a drone inside a spherical external frame. The drone’s legs are protruding under the frame.

An internal LED frame comprising eight curved LED strips, which extend from the top to bottom of the external frame, have also been included in the device.

While in flight, the LED frame spins on its axis in a rapid horizontal motion, forming an afterimage effect to create the illusion of a solid sphere of motionless LEDs.

Developed as part of the company’s ‘docomo drone project’, the drone can be operated virtually in any venues, including concert halls or arenas where it can fly around as part of a performance, or deliver advertising messages and event information.

The maximum diameter of the spherical frame is around 88cm and the entire device, including the drone, weighs 3.4kg.

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"Developed as part of the company’s ‘docomo drone project’, the drone can be operated virtually in any venues, including concert halls or arenas."

Docomo said that in order to equip the drone with a spherical display, it had used a largely hollow lightweight display that allows air to flow through it, delivering the illusion of a solid display by creating an afterimage effect with rapidly spinning LEDs.

The company is planning to commercialise the spherical drone display by March 2019.

Docomo is further planning to exhibit and conduct a flight demonstration of the device at the upcoming Niconico Chokaigi conference to be held at Makuhari Messe in Japan.

Image: NTT Docomo’s new flying spherical drone display. Photo: courtesy of NTT Docomo.