SVG Sit-Down: Ross Video's Jim Doyle Details New Drones-as-a-Service' Offering By SVG Staff
Thursday, September 19, 2024 - 11:54 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
Ross Video's creative services team, Rocket Surgery, has introduced a new offering that it's dubbing Drones-as-a-Service . SVG sat down with Jim Doyle, VP of Creative Services, Ross Video, to explore how this service was developed and its potential impact on the industry.
Can you provide an overview of the Drones-as-a-Service offering and what inspired its development?
Jim Doyle, VP of Creative Services, Ross Video
Doyle: Rocket Surgery has been managing Thursday Night Football for the past two seasons, during which we integrated virtual reality content into live drone video feeds. Initially, we relied on a third-party drone operator for these feeds. To effectively blend tracking data and graphics into the video, we used the Pixotope Fly tracking system, which worked well for our needs.
This success led us to consider providing drone services ourselves instead of depending on third parties. Two of our team members, already drone enthusiasts, obtained their official pilot licenses. Now, we have drone operators in both the United States and Canada, equipped with DJI Mavic drones. This enables us to capture video and seamlessly integrate virtual reality elements, whether live or prerecorded. We've proven our capabilities and are now offering this service to our clients.
What kinds of customers are you targeting with this service?
Doyle: It's well-suited for productions beyond just news and sports broadcasts. For instance, we've created drone footage with integrated graphics for Intel and Ross Video's NAB 2024 keynote, so corporate events have proven to also be a good fit.
What are the benefits of using drones for these productions?
Doyle: Drones offer several advantages over other methods such as Spidercam. They are not tethered, allowing for greater mobility inside and outside facilities, and can get close to the action due to their compact size. This makes them safer as well-our Mavic drones are small enough to minimize risk in case of an accidental collision.
Moreover, drones are quieter than expected, avoiding audio interference during recordings. They provide dynamic shots and enable creative integration of virtual reality elements into broadcasts.
Are there any upcoming projects where you'll be utilizing this service?
Doyle: Yes, we're gearing up for a project involving augmented reality (AR) for election coverage this November. Although it's confidential for now, we plan to release a case study once the project concludes.
And how will drones be used in the election coverage?
Doyle: In this context, drones will incorporate virtual reality within news broadcasts. They enable us to navigate physical space in innovative ways, revealing virtual content dynamically. This capability surpasses what can be achieved with traditional jibs, offering flexible camera movements for both close-ups and wide shots. It's especially useful for capturing location shots in election coverage.
What challenges come with using drones, particularly regarding regulations and restrictions?
Doyle: Commercial drone flights require approvals and adherence to regulations such as height restrictions, flight paths, and no-fly zones. In the U.S., this involves coordination with the FAA and similar agencies abroad. For instance, in Las Vegas, we were restricted from flying in national parks like Red Rock Canyon. While some areas have restrictions, managing these regulations is straightforward if you stay diligent with paperwork and request processes which we have mastered.
And do you handle all these regulatory aspects for your customers?
Doyle: Yes, we manage the entire process. As a managed service, we handle everything from drone operation to virtual content integration. This is all part of Rocket Surgery's Virtual Productions (RSVP) business unit. We've even conducted drone shoots without virtual reality, such as capturing footage of Ross Video's factory to highlight its solar and EV green initiatives.
How has drone technology changed the landscape compared to traditional methods like helicopters?
Doyle: The difference is significant. Previously, capturing aerial footage required hanging cameras from helicopters, which was costly. Today, drones offer superior results at a fraction of the price. Our drones feature built-in 4K and 8K cameras with gimbals, providing high-quality footage at a much lower cost than helicopters.
Where do you see this service heading in the future?
Doyle: I anticipate advancements in tracking technology will simplify the integration of virtual elements. Drones will continue to become smaller and more advanced. AI could also play a role, potentially allowing for autonomous drone operation. Currently, we use a spotter to ensure safety during flights, but AI could enhance safety further, especially in complex environments
Most recent headlines
17/12/2025
Investigative journalists across the Western Balkans and T rkiye continue to con...
17/12/2025
Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame Inducts 10 Industry Icons During Unforgettable ...
17/12/2025
ESPN to Debut MNF Playbook with Next Gen Stats, a New AI-Driven NFL Data-AltCastThe series, powered by Adrenaline TruPlay AI, launches Dec. 22 and runs through ...
17/12/2025
Inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games Debut Under the Lights' in Primetime on ...
17/12/2025
The right playlist is essential on New Year's Eve, building the energy as you get ready and keeping it high as you count down to midnight. This year, Spotif...
17/12/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
17/12/2025
Audiences Watched Over 103 Billion Minutes of TV on Thanksgiving Day
NFL Games ...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
17/12/2025
KPop Demon Hunters Stars Visit Berklee for Weeklong Celebration Andrew Choi and EJAE, who voiced the film's main characters and contributed to its soundtr...
17/12/2025
Wednesday 17 December 2025
Heated Rivalry will be coming to Sky and streaming service NOW on 10 JanuaryTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy opti...
17/12/2025
Back to All News
Inside The Unseen World Of Indian Customs: Netflix Reveals The...
17/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix announces PAPARAZZI KING: the docu series coming to Ne...
17/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils First Look at Jo Nesbo's Detective Hole Pr...
17/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix Welcomes Warner Bros. Discovery Board Recommendation
Business
17 December 2025
Global
Link copied to clipboard
After Careful Revi...
17/12/2025
RT has announced that Kathy Fox has been appointed Commissioning Editor with re...
17/12/2025
The Hao AI Lab research team at the University of California San Diego - at the forefront of pioneering AI model innovation - recently received an NVIDIA DGX B...
17/12/2025
Editor's note: This post is part of Into the Omniverse, a series focused on ...
17/12/2025
With the new season of Dancing with the Stars shimmering in the not-too-distant future this New Year, the celebrity and dancer pairings of the twelve couples ha...
16/12/2025
Hawkins has landed on Spotify, just in time for Stranger Things Season 5, Volume...
16/12/2025
Wherever you are, your favorite music and audio content should go seamlessly with you. That's why Spotify has partnered with NAVER Corp, Korea's leading...
16/12/2025
2025 Wrapped arrived bigger and bolder than ever. This year's experience is designed to be ultra personal and shareable, with new features like Wrapped Part...
16/12/2025
Three 12-kilowatt Advanced Electric Propulsion System thrusters, supplied by L3Harris Technologies, form the core of Gateway's propulsion system. Pictured i...
16/12/2025
The challenge facing America's defense industrial base is not just about speed - its about rebuilding the foundation that makes speed possible. Our nations ...
16/12/2025
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
16/12/2025
SEVILLE, Spain Canal Sur, the public broadcasting service for Andalusia, Spain, has completed a total technology refresh based on Pebble's resilient, softwa...
16/12/2025
NEW YORK Teleprompting hardware provider Telescript International has acquired all software code and intellectual property previously owned by Telescript West. ...
16/12/2025
As cable operators face increased competition from 5G fixed wireless access providers, a new report from Ookla Research finds that T-Mobile is the FWA speed lea...
16/12/2025
Apple has announced a major upgrade to the Apple TV app for device owners outside the Apple ecosystem with news that the Apple TV app for Android now supports G...
16/12/2025
Space42 grows Direct-to-Device partner ecosystem through a Memorandum of Underst...
16/12/2025
16 Dec 2025
VEON Announces Release Date for Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2025 R...
16/12/2025
16 Dec 2025
VEON's Kyivstar Invests in Renewable Energy in Ukraine with Acq...
16/12/2025
Back to All News
Emma Appleton, Fares Fares, Frida Gustavsson and Jakob Oftebro...
16/12/2025
Back to All News
Docu-reality My Korean Boyfriend Gets a Trailer and Premiere D...
16/12/2025
Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor Improves Streaming Video Quality and Boosts Viewer Engagement SAN JOSE, Calif. - Dec. 16, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: ...
16/12/2025
RT Sport Awards 2025 live on RT One and RT Player at 8:05pm on Saturday 20 December.
On Saturday 20 December live on RT One and RT Player at the earlier t...
16/12/2025
Singer -songwriter Brian Kennedy has been announced as the final celebrity dance...
15/12/2025
Harlem Globetrotters Celebrate 100th Anniversary With New Brand Campaign From Th...
15/12/2025
Top L-R: La Tierra Del Valor (The Home of the Brave), Mangittatuarjuk (The Gnawe...
15/12/2025
L3Harris will leverage 15 years of experience supporting the E-4B Nightwatch and...
SVG Sit-Down: Ross Video's Jim Doyle Details New Drones-as-a-Service' Offering By SVG Staff 
