First-person perspective (FPV) technology, with its immersive control experience and flexible perspective, has expanded from its initial focus on racing entertainment to multiple fields including film and television production, cultural tourism, military applications, and industrial operations.
Racing Sports
FPV drone racing, as an emerging sport, originated around 2014 and is seen as a combination of e-sports and traditional sports, often referred to as "Airborne Formula 1." The rules involve pilots wearing FPV goggles controlling drones from a first-person perspective along a track, with the fastest time winning. Competition modes include drone racing, drone soccer, and drone freestyle flying. my country established a national drone racing team in 2018, and in 2021, FPV drone racing became a sports-specialized admission program for various high schools in Hangzhou.
Film and Television Production
FPV drones, with their high speed and agility, can capture shots that are difficult to achieve with traditional equipment, attracting the attention of the film and television production industry. The 2018 film *Pegasus* was the first domestic theatrical film to utilize VPV drones for filming, and its sequel, *Pegasus 2*, featured an even larger proportion of VPV footage. The 2022 Hollywood film *Ambulance* also used VPV drones for filming. Technological advancements have enabled VPV drone footage to meet cinematic standards.
Cultural Tourism Experience
FPV technology, combined with the low-altitude economy and cultural tourism industry, provides tourists with immersive sightseeing experiences. In March 2025, Qingdao Metro launched the "Low-Altitude Flower Language: Cherry Blossom World Shuttle" project in the Beijiushui Scenic Area of Laoshan Mountain, allowing tourists to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the cherry blossom sea through FPV goggles. In the same year, a panoramic drone sightseeing project was launched in Zhangjiajie, allowing ordinary tourists to experience the immersive feeling of traversing the peak forest via drone.
Military Applications
FPV drones play a role in military reconnaissance and precision strikes. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, FPV drones were extensively modified for battlefield use, and the Russian military began employing fiber-optic guided FPV drones with enhanced anti-jamming capabilities. On December 24, 2025, the Ukrainian Defense Minister stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would receive 3 million FPV drones for precision strikes by 2025.
Industry Applications
Thanks to their mobility, FPV drones are penetrating specialized fields such as geographic surveying, industry inspection (e.g., power lines, pipelines), and emergency rescue, becoming an essential tool in these operations.
