Less than a year after setting the Guinness World Records title for 100 drones flying simultaneously, Intel engineers set a new world record with a fleet of 500 drones specifically designed for light shows.

The fall-coloured sunset darkened above Krailling, Germany as thousands of tiny propellers began spinning in unison in a field. The steady hum of 500 drones, each fitted with an LED light, peaked as they instantaneously lifted into the air and danced together across the sky like synchronised fireflies. The fleet formed 3D shapes, spelled out recognisable words and painted the number 500 in the air.

Brought to life by 500 Intel Shooting Star drones controlled by one pilot using a laptop, the choreographed light show set a Guinness World Records title on October 7, 2016 for the Most Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously.