Could This Band of Flying Drones Be the Next YouTube Sensation? KMel Robotics has programmed drones to play musical instruments. Check out their first music video.
By Laura Entis •
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Drones are flying high at the moment. Everyone seems to want a piece, be it to snap an epic selfie, deliver some beer, or bring low cost internet to the entire global population.
The next frontier? YouTube stars.
KMel Robotics, a startup founded by two University of Pennsylvania graduates, has assembled a band of programmed hexrotor drones "to play some fresh songs."
Related: This Contraption Transforms Houseplants Into Musical Instruments
While the songs themselves aren't new – the flying robotic band plays "Thus Spake Zarathustra" (i.e. the 2001: A Space Odyssey song), "Carol of the Bells" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" – the approach definitely is.
"The hexrotors create music in ways never seen before, like playing a custom single string guitar hooked up to an electric guitar amp," the company said. "Drums are hit using a deconstructed piano action. And there are bells. Lots of bells."
The all-drone band is going on tour, putting on live shows at the USA Science & Engineering Festival on April 26-27 in Washington.
Check out their performance below.
