Next Level Drone Footage With Antoine Buffart - Video

Dec 27, 2017 at 5:37
by ShapeRideShoot  

It sounds like he's getting chased by a swarm of bees, but if you turn the sound down the footage is pretty impressive. Could this ever work for World Cup DH race coverage?

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120 Comments
  • 175 1
 I can't wait till this technology improves and we have auto flying drones set 15-20 feet behind all the UCI DH riders. It will take the sport to the next level for the viewing audience.
  • 6 1
 That would be the nuts!
  • 24 5
 Behind? (my ass) no pun. Should be programmed to be offset at 10 feet above their helmet (prox sensor installed) and 25 feet in FRONT of them. Now that would be up front coverage (pun)....
  • 14 3
 I think it would maybe be more pleasing to the eye to set a pre-defined path, that is ran at a varying speed depending on the rider. That way camera angles could be worked upon before the stream. In the video, although the pilot got mad skills, the footage isn't super appealing, that's what filming the sport is about. Exciting times ahead !
  • 6 12
flag conoat (Dec 27, 2017 at 18:06) (Below Threshold)
 @polarproton: pilot? that is clearly autonomous.
  • 6 12
flag utrider (Dec 27, 2017 at 18:43) (Below Threshold)
 Anything would be better than the current coverage.
  • 5 0
 yea but I dont think the racers would be too happy having a drone following them.... I know i wouldn't
  • 20 0
 @shredderIII: if paychecks triple, they''ll be good with it
  • 3 2
 ALL YOU DARNED KIDS AND YOUR STREVA!!!
  • 2 1
 @utrider: if you don’t like the 1st 10sec then the the last 30 there’s something wrong with you Wink
  • 2 0
 @conoat: sorry but it's not, a racing drone is piloted that drone just has a gimbal attached to the GoPro which makes it look so smooth
  • 5 2
 @conoat: if you've ever flown a drone, you'd know that he autonomous modes are mediocre at best. That was some legit piloting. But as impressive as the flying was (and the riding), I feel like these same shots could have been more easily duplicated with a GoPro and a gimbal. Still, mad props on the flying.
  • 6 5
 The whole point of a drone is amazing dynamic perspective changes, this video shows what could easily be recorded by another rider the whole time. Show following then fly high up and overhead, then lead the rider and show from the front, jeez! Show from the side, show from the side from over a cliff, only a $10k/hr helicopter use to be able to get such perspectives! Amazing piloting skills totally wasted.
  • 5 1
 This guy did well to escape them slaughterbots! Maybe WCDH would be a tad more life and death if the drones were armed?
  • 3 1
 Could the mid pack finishers get paid to go back up the gondola and film the top 10? They are usually only a few seconds back so should keep up for a while
  • 1 0
 @pancakeflatted: Hey man, no artificial sweeteners!
  • 37 15
 Its impressive from a skill of flying the drone point of view but i think its actually worse than a helmet cam or chest mount on a guy behind to be honest.
  • 52 5
 make the helmet cam great again
  • 4 0
 Check NINJA MOUNT Smile
  • 9 30
flag mi-bike (Dec 27, 2017 at 12:10) (Below Threshold)
 Call me crazy but it looks more like it was filmed using a helmet cam (with image stabilizer) on a following rider. Sounds of the drone were added in post editing.
  • 17 8
 @mi-bike: yeah, completely agree. It follows the face of every jump absolutely perfectly... As if it was attached to a rider.... I call shenanigans.
  • 1 0
 oo
  • 13 1
 @bigtim: There's a sensor Antoine is carrying, which basically sends its route to the drone - and the drone just follows those instructions... Besides you can only hear the noises from one bike, and editing out the noises from one of two bikes is way to hard for a "fake Video"
  • 4 3
 @MaximilianJakubowski: it would be a massive first FAKE NEWS on PB Big Grin
  • 5 0
 @MaximilianJakubowski: It doesn't follow him at 1:15 though.
  • 3 3
 Yeah, I'm wih the "fake" moniker. The sound does not match. For example, at 1:17, the "drone" does a rather quick yaw spin, but there is no pitch change in the the sound. An actual drone would have had a fast, higher pitched burst everytime it changes direction. Watch it without sound and it's clearly helmet cam footag. Thats also why it is cropped and zoomed in, plus filming slightly too high most of the time.
  • 3 2
 @Kainerm: I am kinda leaning that direction too.

Why does the remote control helicopter move up and down with each jump?

Wouldn’t It be easier to fly and also to watch the video if It just flew at a level height above each jump? I call shenanigans as well. I’m getting my broom!
  • 2 0
 @Kainerm: I believe that the drone and the camera gimbal are piloted by different operators, so the pilot can actually fly a route that makes sense, while the camera operator can keep the rider in perspective. It is really common for high end drone to have this setup, but I have never seen it on small drones.
  • 2 1
 @MaximilianJakubowski: Then how do you explain the bits where it takes a different line to the rider, yet still tracks the face of the jump perfectly? Also, easy enough to remove the sound completely and start again.
  • 11 1
 Please let a refined version of this make it to the world cup. It would make it so we would never have to see coverage as bad as at Cairns this year, ever again. You're not gonna hear the buzz of the drone over Claudio's commentary.
  • 13 1
 Damn the dude flying the drone is probably the most skilled person invovled in this.. I know some do follow mode but ive been told they cant do it at this level.
  • 4 0
 what "can't be done" changes pretty quickly, specially when we are talking about technology
  • 1 0
 @JoseBravo: "normal" drones, like racers and prosumers (DJI for example) have pretty lame follow modes or no follow mode at all, so at the moment it would be impossible to get this footage just letting the drone fly for itself.
  • 11 0
 Now I need to see footage from a drone following the drone that’s filming the rider.
  • 6 0
 Reading alot of the comments here there are a lot of false speculations about what's being used, or if it's even a drone at all. It is definitely a racing drone and being flown in full manual with a good pilot on the sticks. This is not something you'd be able to do with a DJI or other typical stabilized camera drone at the moment. There is no follow modes being used here since today's follow me modes on drones aren't capable of doing that at these speeds with that many obstacles. This was done with many different takes as the radio signals used to control the aircraft and feed the video signal to the pilot won't penetrate too far through a forested area to do a one take shot from top to bottom of a run.
  • 8 0
 Can see me waiting at the start of our local bike park. "Let the 5 guys go first and yep..let's wait for their drones too"
  • 6 0
 That's one way to get faster on your bike. The mosquito that followed you everywhere
  • 6 3
 don't wanna be the party crasher but that really doesn't feel like drone footage. Or why would the drone go up and down over jumps and don't stay steady at a certain hight. Also the drone sounds does not match the movement. It is a great idea but it think it is "just" a rider behind him with a gimbal mounted and drone sounds added. Nice video non the less.
  • 2 1
 I don't think so. Yes the drone does go up and down but I double checked cause I have doubts too and the ups and downs don't seem to fit those of the track really. Take offs and landings aren't the same as if it was a rider holding the cam. There are no impacts on landings even on bigger jumps and also there is a bit where the camera goes above very rough terrain but remains perfectly steady. I think it's real, but not 100% sure Smile
  • 2 0
 1:22 to 1:26
Has to be a drone. Way too high and there are no line where the camera flies
  • 1 1
 My thoughts exactly. If you look closely on the left at 1:18 you can actually see the shadow of a rider while the shadow of Antoine is in front, giving the indication that there's a rider following him :\
  • 3 0
 Surely you're talking about the incidental capturing of another rider riding a separate trail, down below to the left...
  • 4 1
 Very cool! Was the drone flown by one of those guys using a VR set? Neat application for that skill.

It feels like kind of a waste to just follow directly behind. That looks a lot like a follow cam using one of the modern, stabilized harnesses. It's when the drone gets really close or flows parallel with the camera following the rider that you really see something new.
  • 1 0
 Probably difficult in a forest, would be cool to see though.
  • 6 0
 Still sounds better than dubstep shite
  • 2 0
 just as boring as a POV. Edits are only good when thought and creativity are used. Yes this drone filming is use full but only when you have a specific idea on how to utilize the benefits of a drone. A cable still does a better job of getting a smooth pan and controlling the perspective.
  • 8 2
 www.airdog.com
  • 4 3
 @nicojohnson here

looks damn cool
  • 2 1
 Airdog (or any other autofollow drone like Staaker) couldn't follow like this. Good for sitting above the trees though I expect.
  • 2 0
 Is the drone in follow mode (meaning no operator other than the rider holding the controller that is being followed by the drone) ? If so I did not know it was already this good...
  • 1 0
 No way. If this is indeed a drone footage, it is likely that there are two operators, one piloting the drone, and another one controlling the camera gimbal, and both are really good!
  • 2 1
 This looks to be a FPV racing or acrobatic drone piloted by an operator. The turns dont apper to be smooth in the tight stuff for it to be on another rider. I know Team Black Sheep did some foolow cam stuff at Nine Nights with their acro drones, and at a ski event called Nine Royals, they did better capturing the skiers in my opinion.

youtu.be/XnyIzvGKO0k

This is one of the reasons I have been dipping my toes into FPV drone flight and technology, as it is a great way to capture footage of riding, capturing audio on the other hand is another issue though... cant really stand the sound myself and I fly these things, well really small versions anyways.
  • 1 0
 For those who want to know how or are in disbelief the pilot of the drone/quad copter is using a VR like goggle to help navigate.

Professional high speed drones exist and are super fast. The pilot is DEFINITELY skilled. I wouldn't doubt he also races drones on the side.

As always Shape Ride And Shoot + Loose Riders = a Baddass video!!
  • 1 0
 Hey red bull Hire this guy and his drone for next year's rampage. I'd rather listen to the buzz of a drone and see the sickest footage of rampage than see crap video with half of the riders run and in 4 languages at once. Cool video btw
  • 4 0
 Damn that song sucked! Dubstep is just garbage now, not even a beat I can follow.
  • 1 0
 FAKE NEWS. It's not a drone, but a helmet cam with a gimbal.

The sounds from the 1 rider were added from a previous recording as they are not synced in this video, along with adding the the sounds of a drone.

If the 'drone' was set to track and follow the rider's line, then why does it not a few times? And also when the 'drone' takes a different line to the rider, the 'drone' is rising and falling with the jumps/trail of it's own line.

Finally, the video is cut at any time when you may catch a shadow on the rider with the follow cam.
  • 3 0
 Gimbal on a helmet? Nothing more for this footage needed. Sorry. Plus fokken skillish riding ????
  • 5 1
 What drone is this? The footage is mental.
  • 1 7
flag RedBurn (Dec 27, 2017 at 10:54) (Below Threshold)
 DJI Mavic Pro ??
  • 4 1
 Mq-1 predator
  • 3 0
 Is the drone flying that close or is this cropped? Either way, excellent piloting.
  • 4 0
 the drone of the drone gave me a buzzing headache
  • 2 1
 This could be even better if the drone flew level or even a bit in front if the rider, but shit me that would take somevdkills to fly. Great video ???? though, looks like a fun ride
  • 2 0
 New stuff, follow drones. You wear some wristband or something and the drone follows where ever you go. No need for friends anymore.
  • 3 1
 That must be an automated drone following that guy more interesting is the up and down movement following the jumps... impressive
  • 2 0
 "its an Airdog drone www.airdog.com" Taken from the youtube comments
  • 5 2
 that is a racing drone folliwing him, takes a lot of skill to pilot that.
  • 5 3
 So its a lot like GoPro follow cam footage but 10x more annoying for everyone else on the mountain?
  • 3 2
 I get what your saying, but making a few films like this is awesome. I’m sure they were respectful of other riders. If they did something like this durning Crankworx it would be sick.
  • 3 0
 I see a very expensive George of the Jungle moment just waiting to happen.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if it works in the rain. I'd also like to see a long clip, not just a series of a few corners stitched together. Lots of potential here though.
  • 1 0
 this is what i've been thinking since i first heard of the drones, for every mtb race or just a ride filming it with drones would be just awesome
  • 3 1
 The guys name is basically Butfart and nobody is commenting on this??! Pinkbikers are going downhill man.
  • 1 0
 Full gaz!
  • 1 0
 This could actually work with the technology that we have now, but you would need a very skilled pilot - these things are hard to fly at such speed.
  • 1 0
 A lot of it looks like it could be captured by another rider, but the section from 1:24 is very obviously a drone. It flies almost level across a double
  • 4 1
 I would buy this drone
  • 2 0
 Looks fantastic but goodbye to raw edits.
  • 2 0
 I kept flinching when the drone would case the jumps
  • 4 2
 I think it's just a cam on a following rider with drone noises added.
  • 1 0
 WTF?! Has every trail in Queenstown been completely revamped? God, I miss this place
  • 1 0
 Pilot skills impressive.....though I wonder how many trees it ate during filming??
  • 2 0
 "Being chased by a swarm of angry bees"..... Cough, HOPE HUBS!!! Cough.
  • 1 0
 Check this one, also super nice Smile

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyX-_9Nujh0
  • 2 2
 Well played but not a drone, Candide did it before Wink www.redbull.com/gb-en/candide-thovex-blue-stick-video
  • 1 0
 This is most definitely a drone, as was that.
  • 1 1
 @spankthewan: pigeon
  • 1 0
 this is like a real life version of the helicopter game
  • 1 0
 Anyone know what drone was used?
  • 2 1
 where is the information / write up?
  • 1 0
 Whoaaa :O Those drone steering skills :O
  • 1 1
 Great riding and impressive drone flying skills... probably a 14 year old kid.
  • 3 2
 It looks almost exactly like a chestmount + gimbal
  • 4 2
 fart
  • 1 0
 Yes, I totally agree!
  • 1 0
 Is this a drone shot? It looks like a gymbal on a cable mount
  • 1 0
 Brings passing on your left to a new level
  • 1 0
 It's a piloted drone, it says it in the description on youtube.
  • 1 0
 amateur videos on PB have a bright future
  • 1 0
 ZZzZzzzzZZZZwwwooOOosshhhHHHH Smile
  • 1 0
 That was impressive and all but can the drone throw suicide no handers?
  • 1 0
 That was amazing......I loved it!
  • 1 0
 It’s like watching a go pro chase video only a lot worse
  • 1 0
 1:24-1:24, no drone shadow. Hmmmm
  • 1 0
 Could be really fun to watch someone try to lose a drone
  • 1 0
 damn it was good but somehow i got a bit of motion sickness watching it.
  • 1 0
 Finally video that can show the speed of mountain biking!
  • 3 2
 That's fkn rad.
  • 1 1
 Coolest park footy I've seen this year! Unique New York
  • 1 2
 Is there a possibility that the drone can smash into a tree or the rider? chopping his/her head off?
  • 8 0
 yes, i've seen it happen on numerous occasions
  • 6 0
 A while ago there was a drone that crashed really close behind some ski athlete in some high profile race. Those who follow ski sports may know what I'm talking about. It looked like a hefty piece of equipment and considering the speed it crashed at (and how much damage it received) I suppose it could cause some serious injury. The athlete wasn't happy either.

Edit: found it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvF49R_ZX5E
  • 2 0
 @vinay: It is exactly what came into my mind first...
I wouldn't want a drone to follow me. No matter if piloted or automated.
  • 1 1
 Can i just ride along in the drone?
  • 1 0
 Shreddy
  • 1 2
 Awesome footage can't wait till the drones improve for the UCI DH worldcup
  • 2 2
 Anoying AF!
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