Propel Star Wars Battle Drones launch – UK price, hands on

Following on from the initial ‘soft launch’ Propel went large this year with a full European launch of their awesome Star Wars Battle Drones.

Last month I was flown out to Brussels to undergo ‘pilot training’ – with a difference. I wasn’t going to be flying just anything though. I was about to fly one of the iconic craft from the Star Wars universe.

“Flying is just for droids,” Obi-Wan Kenobi once said. Now you can get involved thanks to the new Collectors Edition Propel Star Wars drones.

This was a huge event with enthusiasts, journalists and tech lovers from all across Europe.

If you want to experience the full European launch, check out this video. It takes you from the initial scramble klaxon that meant we should grab a seat right the way through the key note speeches on to the exhibition dog fight.

[youtube id=”kdOZvCdn71M”]

Force Friday

From September 1st, also known as Force Friday, Propel will be presenting a limited edition range of hand-finished, individually numbered battle drones. This makes them idea for collectors, as well as fans.

The drones are modelled on classic star-fighters from the Star Wars films down to the last detail.

Not only that, they enable live air combat games involving up to 12 people at the same time.

May the Force be with you – Empire or Rebel Alliance?

The T-65 X-wing Starfighter, Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced x1 and a 74-Z speeder bike make up the first wave in a series of high-performance battle drones. Propel promises that these will bring the ultimate flight experience to Star Wars fans in over 25 countries.

All three quadrocopters boast flying speeds of more than 50 km/h and a whole raft of technical innovations. Those innovations include the first time ever that Li-Fi technology has been integrated in a drone to enable a new dimension in “real-time play”.

The Propel Star Wars drones also feature integrated flight control algorithms for various types of high-precision multiplayer air battles.

T Mode

The new T Mode (Training Mode) is ideal for first time flyers.

This creates an invisible aura around you and makes the drone easier to control.

Special manoeuvres like corkscrew rolls in forward flight and innovative reverse propulsion drone technology enable the craft to reproduce the famous flight action in Star Wars. Furthermore, it also maximises the fun and thrill of flying.

The only thing left to do is select the model and choose between the “dark side of the Force” or affiliation with the Rebels.

Calling all collectors: this edition packs a punch

This first quadrocopter edition comes in a presentation box with a wax seal and a three-dimensional scale model of the craft on the front.

Check out our unboxing video!

[youtube id=”Zd_Hu3fQip8″]

The cool just keeps on coming too. When you open the lid of the box, the box lights up. Not only that, various soundbites and the Star Wars theme tune is played through loudspeakers which are integrated in the box.

Each box and drone has a unique serial number.

Companion App

Propel will also be launching the first in a series of companion apps on the first of September.

The initial release will be a flight simulator with 34 training modes. This will see you through cadet to admiral status.

The app syncs your remote controller (hand device) to your phone via Bluetooth and movement mimics the actual live flight experience. This allows you to perfect your performance, before taking on others in battle.

The app also includes an innovative IAT “intelligent awareness technology”. Which during real time game play battles, at any point in time knows your exact position in the game and coaches you how to win the battle and defeat others.

The entire range is supported by Propel customer care. A promise of unlimited parts replacement for 12 months and free customer service 24/7.

[youtube id=”rnOpjiaNb_4″]

Words

Darren Matloff, CEO of Propel said:

For almost 40 years now, countless Star Wars fans of all ages have been dreaming about piloting their very own Starfighter and battling against the enemy. Now it is finally possible! We have developed and incorporated over 5 new patent-pending technologies into these drones to guarantee a truly immersive user experience for the fans. For the first time ever you can battle against others, with a system that records, combines and compares your performance against everyone in the world.”

Price and availability

The individually numbered Collectors Edition will launch on September 1st and is available exclusively from John Lewis at a price of £199.