Drone Squad
Drone Squad
Drone Squad
Overview
I built the world's largest drone racing league (15,000 pilots in 117 countries) by developing software and hardware that enabled pilots to discover and organize local races
The Problem
Flying is more fun with friends, but it's hard to find locations and other racers. Once you get together, you have to diligently manage wireless video channels or drones will crash. And, if you want official results, you need expensive and complicated lap timing equipment.
Areas
0-1 Product
New Gaming Experience
Hardware
Software
Location Based Community
Period
2015 - 2019
Overview
I built the world's largest drone racing league (15,000 pilots in 117 countries) by developing software and hardware that enabled pilots to discover and organize local races
The Problem
Flying is more fun with friends, but it's hard to find locations and other racers. Once you get together, you have to diligently manage wireless video channels or drones will crash. And, if you want official results, you need expensive and complicated lap timing equipment.
Areas
0-1 Product
New Gaming Experience
Hardware
Software
Location Based Community
Period
2015 - 2019
Overview
I built the world's largest drone racing league (15,000 pilots in 117 countries) by developing software and hardware that enabled pilots to discover and organize local races
The Problem
Flying is more fun with friends, but it's hard to find locations and other racers. Once you get together, you have to diligently manage wireless video channels or drones will crash. And, if you want official results, you need expensive and complicated lap timing equipment.
Areas
0-1 Product
New Gaming Experience
Hardware
Software
Location Based Community
Period
2015 - 2019
Project Challenges
Hardware partnership and supply chain management
Finding a sustainable revenue model
Innovations
Developed a personal bluetooth drone race timer that was 14x less expensive than alternatives
Captured the market quickly by providing value to leaders of pre-existing local drone racing communities that would in turn evangelize the product to their members
Gamified drone racing for casual pilots, adding a new dimension to the sport
User Research
3 month, field-based user research program with pilots and race organizers
Developed a continuous research program post-MVP
Results and Outcomes
Rapidly achieved product-market fit with 75% target market penetration and 65% 30-day retention
Project Challenges
Hardware partnership and supply chain management
Finding a sustainable revenue model
Innovations
Developed a personal bluetooth drone race timer that was 14x less expensive than alternatives
Captured the market quickly by providing value to leaders of pre-existing local drone racing communities that would in turn evangelize the product to their members
Gamified drone racing for casual pilots, adding a new dimension to the sport
User Research
3 month, field-based user research program with pilots and race organizers
Developed a continuous research program post-MVP
Results and Outcomes
Rapidly achieved product-market fit with 75% target market penetration and 65% 30-day retention
Project Challenges
Hardware partnership and supply chain management
Finding a sustainable revenue model
Innovations
Developed a personal bluetooth drone race timer that was 14x less expensive than alternatives
Captured the market quickly by providing value to leaders of pre-existing local drone racing communities that would in turn evangelize the product to their members
Gamified drone racing for casual pilots, adding a new dimension to the sport
User Research
3 month, field-based user research program with pilots and race organizers
Developed a continuous research program post-MVP
Results and Outcomes
Rapidly achieved product-market fit with 75% target market penetration and 65% 30-day retention
